Whilst going through Siba Sahabi’s creations I had a quick look at the links on her website, some of her recommendation have already made the cut like Design Virus and Andreas Kocks.
String Gardens is the first one I wanted to talk to you about, but I waited a little longer because I liked the idea of this artist talking about himself. What is String Gardens? A very artistic, clever and delicate way of hanging plants using string, moss, grass transforming them into suspended living works. Fedor van der Valk is the talented mind behind these creations and I asked him just few questions to maybe understand more about his work, life and daily routine. Here we go, hope you enjoy!
What is your daily routine?
On a good day: I leave my house around 7. By bike. Through our version of china town and the red-light district to my favourite coffee place Coffee Company. It’s a chain, so I can choose. I continue on my bike through the Jordaan to the south part of town. I work at IJM where I can use a part of the studio to make my plants. I pretty much work the whole day. It’s very time consuming.
To someone coming to Amsterdam, what are the 5 must-see spots or things to do?
Make sure that Amsterdam is not your main destination in Europe. It is a small town. I love it but … It’s small.
When was the first time you ever thought of creating such amazing artwork?
About 3 years ago. I have been experimenting with 3d crochet work for some years and found use for it as a base for a miniature world. I covered it with plaster, clay, soil, mosses and planted grasses in it. A world for my plaster string puppets and stop-motion animations.
There was also a childhood wish to apply bonsai techniques on ordinary plants. I never had the patience for real bonsai. So now there was a need for small plants that were able to grow in this crocheted world. In London I bought small organic ‘pots’ for seedlings. This material inspired me to create my own organic material that could function as a shell around the root base of plants. The first year I mixed different kind of soil with grass seeds. The roots of the grass formed a kind of net around the inner ball.
When I learned about kokedama I started add moss to the mix. Now I apply multiple layers. The shells are more advanced now since I need to sell the plants. ;) I don’t have time to work on the first idea.
[kokedama is a special technique used to grow bonsai inside a pot so fully and tightly that the root and soil would maintain its shape event when taken out of the pot]
That is hard to say. I guess I’m no different than my grandfather who made miniature puppets and trains out of paper or all those men who keep miniature trains with complete landscapes in there attic. In my case I have to make it my core business. Something else is not satisfying. A very privileged position to take, I know.
As an artist, if you could travel through time and space, where would you go and who would you like to meet?
I would like to travel back to the middle ages and visit large cities and markets and experience the interactions
What is the question nobody ever asked but that you would love to answer?
Only mr right knows this one ;)
What is your favourite place on earth?
Curaçao
What is the ultimate message that you would like to spread out through your work?
Buy this! ;) haha. I’m afraid i’m not that deep. I wish less fear.
Photo courtesy of String Gardens. Thank you very much for your time Fedor, much appreciated!
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