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Culture
Major international outdoor exhibition Into the Nature in De Onlanden in 2026
ONLANDEN – Kunstpodium Into Nature has chosen the De Onlanden nature reserve in the north of Drenthe for its program in the coming years. The subject of ‘reciprocity’ is central to the programme, which not only consists of Into Nature’s well-known international exhibition in the landscape, but also various other projects.
Artistic director Hilde de Bruijn is very enthusiastic about the choice of De Onlanden: “De Onlanden is a young swamp area in the head of Drenthe that serves as a water buffer and has become an important link in the ecological main structure. The swamp has traditionally been a source of fascination for many people. It is often seen as dangerous, impenetrable and secretive. The swamp has often set the imagination of artists, poets and writers to work. In legends and myths, the swamp is the home of will-o’-the-wisps and swamp women, and in many cultures it is also a place for medicinal plants and beneficial mud baths. As was the case with De Onlanden, marshes are often reclaimed and occupied by humans for their own use. Nowadays, the swamp, as a complex ecosystem, is seen as an excellent example through which we can think about other world views, (ecological) systems and relationships. Since we will only ‘give back’ more land to the water in the future, the question is how we can relate to the swamp again. We have therefore chosen the underlying theme of ‘reciprocity’ in our program. We would like to focus on the conversation about our thinking in terms of the usability of the landscape and nature.”
First project already started
In collaboration with the Art & Culture Foundation and the recently established initiative of Drenthe artists Kuunst.nu, a project has already started in De Onlanden. Five Drenthe artists conduct artistic research here and examine certain aspects of the area based on their own specific interests. Under the title ‘Inhale – Exhale’, this will lead to a presentation at a location to be determined and a publication at the end of 2024. From this autumn, the first participants in the well-known outdoor exhibition will come to De Onlanden to take a closer look at locations and ask questions about the landscape. These questions are translated into public evenings. Here artists, experts and the public come together to exchange knowledge about the local landscape and to get to know each other. It is also the intention that Into Nature will develop various other projects in relation to De Onlanden between 2024 and 2026, including projects with novice artists from the northern region.
International outdoor exhibition
In the summer and autumn of 2026, the municipality of Noordenveld – where De Onlanden is located – will celebrate the cultural year in Drenthe and Into Nature will celebrate this event with its international outdoor exhibition. In this context, several works of art created especially for the occasion will be on display at various locations in the area between Eelderwolde and Roderwolde. De Bruijn about the exhibition: “An important condition is that the works do not drown out the landscape itself and are in balance with the location.” Into Nature is very pleased with the support and cooperation already promised from the province of Drenthe, nature management organizations, various funds, the municipalities of Noordenveld and Groningen and various private individuals. In addition, Into Nature expects the results of the application for an important multi-year subsidy from the national Mondriaan Fund this summer.
