Different roles

One of the core determinants in diagnosing an ecosystem is the interaction between components, in this case, plant species. Understanding how different roles in the forest ecosystem can interact is critical to proper diagnosis.
This design tells the story of a tree and a lian, of different levels—top, medium, and low—and of recuperation. Who benefits from whom, when, and why?
The transect is based on an actual part of the tropical forest, as measured by Roelof Oldeman (1974a): “Bas-fond à Crique Douille (Sous-bois absent: enlere) Septembre 1971. Fig. 81. – Profil d’une parcelle de forêt de 20 x 30 m dans la région de Saül”. Selection and (colour) curation by Jack Kruf.
Can people or organisations be compared with plant species, and can their roles and interactions be measured alike?
Bibliography
Oldeman, R.A.A. (1974a, 2nd ed.). L’architecture de la forêt guyanaise. Mémoires ORSTOM, 73. Oldeman-larchitecture-de-la-foret-guyanaise

Steenuil

De steenuil, die luistert naar de prachtige Latijnse soortnaam Athene noctua, is de kleinste uil. De Engelsen noemen hem Little owl. Hij is zo groot als een merel.

Bibliografie

Kruf, J. (2024) Steenuil [fine art print]. Breda: privécollectie.

The tree and the liane

One of the core determinants in diagnosing an ecosystem is the interaction between components. 

Understanding the exact interaction—or, in this case, a combination of interactions—is key to proper diagnosis.

This design tells the story of a tree and a liane. Who benefits from whom, when, and why? The tree and liane are real, as measured by Roelof Oldeman (1974a), but they are also metaphors for people or organisations.

I firmly believe in the plausibility of this substitution, primarily due to the universal nature of ecological interactions. These are governed by a set of fundamental patterns, a mere seven, which exist in nature. This universality extends to the public domain, which is intricately intertwined with nature.

It is part of transect by Oldeman (1974a): “La liane perchée sur le Terminalia amazonia à une hauteur d’environ 35 mètres appartient probablement à la famille des Polygonacées“. Curation and colour selection by Jack Kruf.

Bibliography

Oldeman, R.A.A. (1974a, 2nd ed.). L’architecture de la forêt guyanaise. Mémoires ORSTOM, 73.

Oldeman-larchitecture-de-la-foret-guyanaise

The essence of tree roots

Jack Kruf

The wisdom of life, the book with all its guidelines and secrets, the codex, can be found in the forest. Codex is derived from the Latin caudex, meaning “trunk of a tree.” The lowest part of the trunk, which connects to the roots, is where two worlds meet in the binding principles of life: ‘above ground’ and ‘underground’.

Here, the forest’s soul can be found, the marketplace where all traffic streams from earth (upwards, water, minerals) and sun and air (downwards, sugars, after photosynthesis) are exchanged, the roundabout on the highway of life.

This meeting point is where growth and development are coordinated, the past, present, and future meet, and the counterpoint is where life starts. Vincent van Gogh painted this meeting point, Tree Roots, as only he could: colourful and straight to the heart. He understood. It was his last painting, ‘digging deep’ into the essence of life.

Bibliography

Gogh, V.  van (1890) Tree Roots [oil on canvas]. Amsterdam: Van Gogh Museum.