Culture, like nature, consists of layer upon layer. New generations continue to build on a foundation which does not disappear. Such are the origins of the city of IJlst. The old, largely twisted stinzen plants are signs of that invisible foundation, and of mankind’s role in its development. The fountain ‘Immortal Flowers - Rikka’ connects flowering stinzen plants as an element of Frisian nature with Ikebana, an old form of Japanese flower arrangement. It symbolises the eternal union between man, culture and nature.
Shinji Ohmaki
‘Speak, memory’ could be Shinji Ohmaki’s (1971) motto. All his sculptures, videos and installations stem from his research into what once was, but has disappeared from our memory. Old crafts, lost traditions, vanished species of flowers: for him they are not gone - just buried under the dust of time. He believes it is his role as an artist to bring them back to life in beauty.
Tip: Combine your visit to the 11fountains with a city walk. A walking route through IJlst along all the highlights of the city that you must have seen during your visit.
