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17-25 October 2026

ROOTS Exhibition, From Dutch Soil

Going back to move forward and see what nature has been giving us all along. We need ROOTS to be able to grow our new future, research is the way...

Hosted by Studio Simone van Es

This project is now archived and was part of DDW24

This project is part of
ROOTS Exhibition
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Silphium Perforliatum (Silphy)
Silphium Perforliatum (Silphy)
Studio Simone van Es
ROOTS Exhibition by Simone van Es explores the essence of Dutch soil and its many life forms. Discover bio-based and circular Dutch Art & Design, from emerging talent to established artists. ROOTS invites you to explore the connection between nature, creativity, and sustainability.

From Fibre to Furniture, going back to our ROOTS

Following a very successfull Milano Design Week in April, ROOTS Exhibition now turns its focus to the Dutch Design Week. We will not only present new works by established names like Claudy Jongstra and Diana Scherer, but also introduce a special collaboration with Rotterdam based artist Tomáš Liberíny. His work, in collaboration with 80.000 honey bees, will be combined with a 100% plant based furniture made by designer Piet Hein Eek. The plate-material for the furniture was made from Silphium Perfoliatum (Silphy). This perennial (20-30 yr) fibrecrop has an extensive root-system that captures significant amounts of CO2 and water. It shares nutrients, grows up to 4m and (most importantly) flowers richly from early July to late September. Silphy not only improves biodiversity, but bees nourished by this plant are better prepared for winter, significantly increasing their survival rates..! This highlights the importance of bio-based design and innovation, as well a the crucial role of biodiversity and soil improvement. ROOTS Exhibition sees this as a powerful symbol of how art, nature, and innovation can work together to create a better future. It all starts with the soil...
Bees Working on Printed Sculpture
Bees Working on Printed Sculpture
Tomas Libertiny
Claudy Jongstra, Luscious
Claudy Jongstra, Luscious
Studio Simone van Es
Diana Scherer, Farming Textiles
Diana Scherer, Farming Textiles
Diana Scherer
Silphium Perforliatum, the Bee Friendly Fibrecrop
Silphium Perforliatum, the Bee Friendly Fibrecrop
Studio Simone van Es

About Studio Simone van Es

An important role of this crop is in improving soil quality and biodiversity. By explaining the story behind the plant, visitors learn that this late-blooming fiber crop is not only beneficial for the soil but also for farmers and (ultimately) the bees.

Colofon

Curator Simone van Es
Project Production Studio Simone van Es

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