‘De Rode Beuk’ - ‘the copper beech’
The story of ‘the Copper Beech’.
On September 20, an afternoon event will be held at The Joinery workshop in Amsterdam, featuring an exhibition and presentations about the next chapter in the life of the iconic red beech tree from De Nieuwe Ooster cemetery.
For almost 130 years, this monumental beech tree provided a beacon, comfort, and shelter with its majestic presence in the cemetery. When it became apparent that the tree had been affected by the giant polypore fungus and could no longer be saved, Johan Mullenders, tree surgeon at the De Nieuwe Ooster arboretum, took the initiative to organize a farewell ceremony. On February 21, 2024, more than 150 people gathered to share memories and say goodbye to the red beech tree.
Where the arborist's work ends with the death of the tree, it begins for woodworkers. Commissioned by the cemetery, Daan Simons and I are making objects and furniture from the prunings of this red beech. The works of art will be given a special place in the cemetery. And there's more...
During this afternoon, Johan Mullenders will talk about his connection with the tree, while Daan and I will provide insight into our working methods and the significance of wood in our projects. Just as the tree offered comfort and shelter during its existence at the Nieuwe Ooster, we hope that the objects we make from the wood of this beech tree will offer peace, beauty, and perhaps comfort. The objects, some finished, some still in progress, will be exhibited for the first time this afternoon. WELCOME!
Date: saturday 20th sept
Time: 15:00 - 18:00
Location: The Joinery in Plantage Dok;
Plantage Doklaan 8-12, Amsterdam
Ps, this tree has had quite a story already, read more about it here: De Rode Beuk (Dutch)
Some of the wonderful partners who are making this project possible are:
- Iona Stichting
- Vormgevers in Hout
- De Nieuwe Ooster
The story of ‘the Copper Beech’.
On September 20, an afternoon event will be held at The Joinery workshop in Amsterdam, featuring an exhibition and presentations about the next chapter in the life of the iconic red beech tree from De Nieuwe Ooster cemetery.
For almost 130 years, this monumental beech tree provided a beacon, comfort, and shelter with its majestic presence in the cemetery. When it became apparent that the tree had been affected by the giant polypore fungus and could no longer be saved, Johan Mullenders, tree surgeon at the De Nieuwe Ooster arboretum, took the initiative to organize a farewell ceremony. On February 21, 2024, more than 150 people gathered to share memories and say goodbye to the red beech tree.
Where the arborist's work ends with the death of the tree, it begins for woodworkers. Commissioned by the cemetery, Daan Simons and I are making objects and furniture from the prunings of this red beech. The works of art will be given a special place in the cemetery. And there's more...
During this afternoon, Johan Mullenders will talk about his connection with the tree, while Daan and I will provide insight into our working methods and the significance of wood in our projects. Just as the tree offered comfort and shelter during its existence at the Nieuwe Ooster, we hope that the objects we make from the wood of this beech tree will offer peace, beauty, and perhaps comfort. The objects, some finished, some still in progress, will be exhibited for the first time this afternoon. WELCOME!
Date: saturday 20th sept
Time: 15:00 - 18:00
Location: The Joinery in Plantage Dok;
Plantage Doklaan 8-12, Amsterdam
Ps, this tree has had quite a story already, read more about it here: De Rode Beuk (Dutch)
Some of the wonderful partners who are making this project possible are:
- Iona Stichting
- Vormgevers in Hout
- De Nieuwe Ooster
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inspecting the wood, seeing the lines of the fungus and smelling the freshly sawn wood.
Ruben van der Scheer and Daan Simons rough sawing the dried wood in the workshop
Work is better together
Daan on the square hole drill
discussing the first wooden sketches and prototypes
Work in progress, the biginning of a collection of objects to remember...
Artworks with a focus on holding memories. Each work has a (small) space to keep or preserve something valuable to the owner (a note, something from a friend or family member who passed away, a pebble from a vacation). This is a means to ‘charge’ the object in your own specific way. In the exhibition you can see different objects, we hope they may provide comfort, contemplation, silence or wonder. Just like the beech tree did when it stood firm and tall as a beacon to many.