Weeping Willows

Gender

Heavily bent forward, her imposing body leans down. Too curved to lift her crown, her slender branches touch the dark water. They softly ripple along with the current of the Gender. You might almost pass by this impressive weeping willow unnoticed. She is always there, motionless. With her posture she symbolizes grief and mourning.

But today this grieving tree stands fully in the light. On the tree, you see tears welling up, trickling along the branches, turning the Gender into a true valley of tears. A projection by light artist Har Hollands, emphasizing the association with crying.

We don’t like to share our grief. We cry behind closed doors, in the dark. See this work by Har Hollands as an invitation: show your tears. Be open, and share your story with others. Give your sorrow the attention it deserves. Do you feel the relief?

This work was previously part of GLOW: in 2006 and 2015. Weeping Willows can be seen this year in two locations: here, in Veldhoven, and in Eindhoven by the Dommel at the Anne Frank Park.