Imagine poems blossoming where trees refuse to grow. That’s the story of the Trees of Circular Motion.
This unique sculpture stands on Lustplein in the La Roue district. It is a testament to art’s ability to transform spaces. The Trees of Circular Motion is the brainchild of Irish artist Orla Barry. She collaborated with Iranian-British poet Mimi Khalvati. Together they created a permanent installation. It captures the spirit of this community.
The Trees of Circular Motion consists of eight circular enamel boards. These boards are mounted atop metal structures suggesting trees. Their circular shape references the district’s name Het Rad. This translates to “The Wheel”. The texts radiate from the center of each circle. They resemble a map. Streets and squares seem to branch out.
Khalvati’s poems are the heart of this artwork. Barry printed the sonnets on posters. She distributed them throughout the neighborhood. The artist also added her own playful writings. They evoke the street names of Het Rad. These writings allude to early 20th-century social concerns.
Seen from afar, the words appear as radiant stars. They infuse meaning into the environment. The Trees of Circular Motion became a reality in February 2013. It was inaugurated with a neighborhood celebration. This marked the culmination of intense artistic collaboration. The location was chosen carefully. It was a place where real trees struggled to thrive.
Orla Barry’s work often explores language and symbols. She examines the tension between visual and literary forms. Her art incorporates philosophical reflections. It includes personal experiences and fictional narratives. Barry addresses themes like linguistic intoxication, melancholy, and friendship.
Mimi Khalvati’s visit to Het Rad in March 2007 was pivotal. She met Orla Barry. Inspired by the surroundings, Khalvati penned twelve sonnets. Barry then printed these poems. They took the form of wheels on posters. Local children also participated. They wrote their own poems. They presented them at a school event.
The Trees of Circular Motion has transformed Lustplein. It stands as a symbol of community. It represents artistic collaboration. It is poetry in motion. It is a testament to the transformative power of art. It brings literature and visual art together. It unites a neighborhood through creativity.