Tag: Bos

Geplaatst op

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

Geplaatst op

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.

Geplaatst op

Wiped off the Map

This is an artistic impression of the natural rainforest being wiped off the map. The pristine Amazon canopy – and the entire ecosystem with hundreds of millions of individuals (animals, plants, fungi) – gets lost and dies. Biodiversity is brought to zero, with no change of discovery.

Human societies are like hurricanes. They destroy everything in their path.

I know we sit, watch and reflect on this loss from our chairs made from the wood of these forests. We seem to be trapped by ourselves. Or is there a way out?

Bibliography

Kruf, J. (2023) Wiped off the map [fine art print]. Breda: Private collection.

Geplaatst op

Amazon Canopy

Being part of the canopy of the forest is relevant for every tree. It is the way to maximise photosynthesis and, therefore, the production of sugars, the basic building materials for the entire ecosystem. It is the place in the forest to be – “Each tree is essential. It is part of The Empire of the Sun” (quote by Professor Roelof Oldeman†, 2021). The food chain starts here.

From a remote-sensing perspective, this art expression tells the story of how the fight for light looks like. Every inch is used. The natural rainforest’s biodiversity can be sensed from this eagle’s view, an art impression.

Bibliography

Kruf, J. (2021) Amazon Canopy [fine art print]. Breda: Private collection.

Geplaatst op

Forestia oldemanii

The impressive dissertation of Roelof Oldeman (1974, summa cum laude) shows the natural forest’s complexity, dynamics and beauty. Oldeman combined morphogenetic, ecological and physiological concepts, allowing the structural analysis of the populations of trees to explain and understand the forest.

This (holistic) combination of sciences is also needed to understand the ecosystem society and its (public) governance. Now, this scientific landscape is scattered and segmented. Can public administration and corporate governance sciences learn from the forest approach?

Source: Oldeman (1974) part of fig 42. – Profil d’une parcelle de forêt d’environ 30 X 40 m dans la region de Saül, à une altitude de 285 m

This design is a personal redraw and colouring exercise by me as one of his students. I call it Forestia oldemanii. An ode to my teacher and dear friend.

Bibliography

Kruf, J. (2023) Forestia oldemanii [fine art print]. Breda: Private collection.

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