Thursday Salute to Originals: Growing Van Gogh
Recreating one of Van Gogh’s paintings by hand would be quite a feat in and of itself. Trying to replicate the exact brush strokes and hues that comprise his famous works would be extremely painstaking and tedious. But how about recreating his art with unpredictable nature as the medium? Can it even be done? Surprisingly, yes – and in number of unexpected ways and astounding scales.
Artist Stan Herd recently utilized an entire field to recreate Van Gogh’s “Olive Trees.” Meticulously selecting and assembling specific plants, mulch, soil, and foliage necessary to execute this work, he managed to recreate this famous painting in only 6 months. Perceiving the extents of the field from a bird’s eye view, voila – the composition of “Olive Trees” is apparent! The “Earthworks,” what Herd calls his natural replications, bear a remarkable resemblance to the original oil painting, and offer an unusual way to experience Van Gogh’s art.
But Van Gogh’s depictions in nature are not just rooted to the soil. At the 2015 Zundert Flower Parade in the Netherlands, Van Gogh’s works were brought to life in mobile-form.
Nineteen stunning floats navigated the parade, rendered in massive proportions that morph Van Gogh’s flat paintings into intense three dimensional experiences. Constructed of flowers and greenery, the parade paraphernalia celebrates the rich colors and forms inherent in the spirit of Van Gogh’s work.
So for today’s salute, we honor those who dare to recreate the works of one of history’s most original artists – Van Gogh – in such an unpredictable, finicky, and delicate medium. They prove that you can merge Mother Nature and high-end art with astounding results. Who would have imagined that a single flower could become a brushstroke?