2022 / Curriculum Vitae / brief summary
Merijn Vrij (1971) / www.merijnvrij.nl
Explanation of work: Merijn Vrij's images are created in and thanks to the presence of the location. The work adds a dimension to the place where it stands and invites experience and inspiration. Vrij makes use of the social and cultural-historical context of the location. Nature is an important source of inspiration. Vrij often uses natural forms and (local) materials such as wood, stone and living trees and plants, partly combined with industrial materials such as plastic, textile and steel.
Searching for wonder and bringing inspiration to the viewer is part of his work. Recurring themes in Merijn Vrij's work include growth, experience, movement, lines and light. The theme of sustainability is intertwined in his working method. Participation - help and involvement - as an added element in his work ensures that his projects are embraced. His work manifests itself in the broad sense of public space and landscape, in temporary and permanent form.
1) Various installations and projects, a selection:
2022
'Greenspace' for Forum Groningen: green intervention in public space of atrium: 4D, growth and lines. Three In-Sutu objects in a 35-metre-high atrium where indoor growth is investigated as an experiment. Museum Belvédère / Arcadia / ‘Stroomopwaarts’, art in landscape linked to Frisian Art Museums in Friesland. Participate in a selection of 6 artists (out of 80+ entries) whereby my project ‘Oogst’ is linked to Museum Belvérdere. Harvest is a project in which intensive agriculture and cultural-historical nature are studied. Resulting in: future project proposal, intervention in museum hall and a land art project in the museum park.
'Circle: brand mark' project under investigation, subsidized by Kunstraad Groningen. In which the restorative power (pioneer nature) of nature is investigated at a location in a nature reserve. 'Salix Relief': project (work in progress) in which natural material (willow) becomes a mechanically controlled movement process. Nature's reaction versus human influence. 'Here to Stee' Endless Horizon / De Ploeg: landscaped seating object near Woldendorp that captures the essence of the 'De Ploeg' art movement: coming together and sticking your head above ground level. Unveiling project 'See01' for Kunstvloed. A farmer's land fence has been transformed into a golden eye-catcher that the public must find within the beauty of the existing landscape.
2021
'Greenhouse Forum Groningen', test setup for postponed project to 2022. Project 'See01' for Kunstvloed in September, purchased for permanent route. Sketch assignment for the municipality of Nijkerk. Project management and design school playground IKC Borgman Oosterpark. Two hisorical designed gates Ebbingekwartier for the Municipality of Groningen based on cultural-historical signing and themes.
2020
'Balance sea and land', design and implementation 'family of 13 dike banks' for renewed dike stretch from Delfzijl to Eemshaven. Work together with the city poet, commissioned by Water Board Noorderzijlvest. 'Green-blue schoolyard' design for IKC Borgmanschool Ebbinge / OOG in Groningen, management and (partial) implementation. Cultural-historical and archaeological references in plants and trees (archaeo-botanical) plus specials in playground equipment and overall design. Collaboration with city archaeologist.
2019
'In/Out': two living benches for ‘Groene Ommetje’ in Zuidwolde. Willow, steel, oak wood. Grasnapolsky Festival: 'light objects' made of cardboard and aluminium. '311' Festival Hongerige Wolf participation project around and referring to the turbulent Moluccan history in the ‘Abonezenbosje’ north Groningen. Zwolse Stadslanderijen 'Groenpaviljoen' and layout inside and outside area, murals. Salix Contemplation, Land Art project in Botanical Garden, growing willow circle to visit and contemplation.
2018
Publication 'Vrijkunst' Noorderbreedte magazine, sabatical period. Construction of house.
2017
‘Kerstvloed 1717’: International Art Route Northern Netherlands and Land-Art participation project. 16 artists in summer period. Concept and curator plus (co-)organizer. Successful route: high appreciation and visitor numbers. Land art project 'Palenzee' in preparation.'Wilgenborg Blauwestad', Living structure designed in a ‘Bau-botanical' way. Willow Cathedral realized i.c.w. many stakeholders and on behalf of Dorpsbelangen Blauwestad: collaborations with the Municipality, Province, TenTech BV (published in 2001 in book about Land Art in NL). 'Period' Waalkens/Flinsterwolde, 'Bogen' OpenStal/Olderbekoop.
2016 Land-Art participation project 'Boon' in Borger/Drenthe: haiku project and boon project in village. 'Green Pavilions' Zwolle: Hanzeland and Broerenplein, Light Objects for ‘Heerlijck Licht’ Diepenheim.
2015 'Salux IV' light installation and 'Land-Art project' for Zorggroep Zinn, willow fence and steel gate for Beatrixoord, 'Grienpaviljoen' i.c.w. residents Veenwouden.
2014 'Groenpaviljoens' station square Groningen + 1-hour festival. 'Salux III' light installation for Zinn.
2013 LWD 2018 ‘De Reis’: ‘Ode aan de Tûn’ community art project: Land mark / gateway for Snakkerburen (delivery 2014), ‘Salux II’ light installation: Novo-house.
2012 'Stokbeans': participation, and growth art project, Marketing Groningen.
2011 Vos Maupertuus, 'Salux I' light installation, Noorderbreed magazine: Land-Art photography/column about three years up to and including 2013. (light) installation for art route Appingedam.
2010 France / Parc de Wesserling. Festival Sculpture: 'Vapeur Croissante'
2009 Guandu International Sculpture Festival Taipei / Taiwan: 'Flock of birds'. Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival Groningen, public installation: 'Balls of Light'.
2008 Public assignment CBK Groningen and Groningen Regional Police.
2007 Sommerinsel Ludwigshafen am Rhein (D): "Waterline". Gouverneurstuin Assen: ‘Groei’.
2006 Nature art Drenthe, international art symposium: 'Hangend Water'.
before that: Oerol, installation ‘Balance’ on the beach, part art route ‘Moving Horizon’
2) Publications:
These include Taipei Times, Noorderbreedte Magazine, RTV Noord, NOS, Dagblad van het Noorden, Friesch Dagblad, Ludwigshafen Zeitung, RTL4, Avro TV, Oerolkrant, KLM magazine 'Holland Herald'. Publication of images from the 'Vrijkunst' series in Noorderbredte and for Zinn Groningen. Publication 'Free Art' book Land-Art. Trouw, article '311' Festival Hungry Wolf. DvhN Kunstvloed interview. 2021, publication 50 best Land-Art works in NL: Wilgenborg included in list.
3) Art-related work (selection):
Lectures, teaching and workshops (art, haiku, etc.) curatorship, exhibition maker. Coordinator art in public space for the municipality of Emmen. Kröller Müller Museum construction team for the artwork 'Echo van de Veluwe' by Chris Booth. Applied, educational and socially oriented assignments.
4) Advice and organization Art in Public Space and Visual Art
2020-present: coordinator Art in Public Space and exhibition maker (1/5 ft.) for CBK Emmen. Responsible for maintenance, restoration, participation, archiving and new projects.
2021-2024: K&C Drenthe, advisor and supervisor art assignment Groene As, POIs cycling route.
2021-present: Art committee for Kunstraad Groningen. Four opinions art.
2019-2023: Member of Advisor Pool Visual Arts Public Space Municipality of Zwolle.
2019: Advice and brainstorming sessions for Sence of Place / Province of Groningen
led by the late Joop Mulder (SoP) and Nieske Ketelaar (director of Museum Dr8888) and cultural field Groningen. Continuation of Christmas flood also investigated in line with the joint ambition for (temporary) art on the Wadden coast.
Merijn Vrij
Groningen, 2022
