Forwards Backwards, pavilion and circular paths, 2010


Landart sculpture with pavilion at the location of biological pig farm The Jofrahoeve, Esch (The Netherlands). Pavilion with still life made out of materials found on farms, stacked on the rooftop; two straight paths and two circular paths. 5,5 m. (width) x 40 m. (length) x 4,5 m. (height). Materials: Iron white painted steel construction, wood, found materials. Lights.

Trumpet performance for closing event; two trumpeters and the artist, microphone, amplifier and speakers, Sept. 2010



Photographs by Marcel de Buck



Thanks to:

Family van Wagenberg (realisation and hosting the project at their farm), Kris Kimpe, Samyra Moumouh and Janis Aarnoutse (for technical advice and realisation), Jolanda Raaijmakers, Martens Best, Rendac B.V. Son, Raaijmakers Best and Ton Trans B.V. (cooperation perfomance, truck drivers and trucks), Claire Banziger, Suus van Hoorn, Marielle van Deursen, Michel Somers and Freek Bergervoet (camera assistance truck performance), Jasper van Aarle (photographs truck perfomance), Janis Aarnoutse (guitar concert, opening pavilion), Serge Onnen and Jan Willem Moulijn (trumpeters closure event), Roland Spekle (organisation closure event), Wim Verschuren and ZIN cloister Vught (ZIN artist studio residency), Margriet Kempers and Helmer Wieringa (organisation Eurolandart), BKKC Tilburg (financial support and organisation)
Forwards Backwards, Temporary land art piece July - Oct. 2010


Wineke Gartz was invited by the organisation of ‘Euro Landart‘ to develop an art project with farmers in ‘The Groene Woud’ - a nature and agricultural area in the South of The Netherlands. Gartz researched landart, farm life, rural versus the city life, environmental issues, tourism and many other aspects related to the region. The outcome was ‘Forwards Backwards’,  a wide-ranging project including a happening with trucks, performances, a video, and a pavilion with circle paths.

In June 2010 the summer manifestation opened with Gartz's performance ‘Forwards Backwards’ at Landgoed de Velder, in wich she directed eight trucks to drive slowly backwards through the landscape.

In July the landart piece ‘Forwards Backwards’ opened to the public at The Jofra Hoeve biological pig farm in Esch: Gartz built a temporary steel pavilion with two circular and two straight pathways, along which visitors were invited to walk both forwards and backwards.

The meditation paths and the temple-like pavilion created an environment for visitors to contemplate about life's changes, to reflect on new stages in life and the complexity of the idea of progress.

On the pavilion's roof top Gartz created a still life. Various materials were collected from farms that were about to  close their businesses. The materials were stacked on the roof high above the ground. During this period, the ojects became unattainable, becoming part of a temporary monument instead.

At the end of September, Gartz organized a closing event at the temple and the meditation path. She showed a performance for two trumpeters combined with a live realy of amplified sounds of pigs from the farm. The happening was organized in collaboration with Roland Spekle.