Hortus Europa

During the Dutch presidency of the EU in 2016 a group of artist, researchers and curators was brought together in New Europeans. Studio Berk joined and created Hortus Europa. Hortus Europa was a garden where stories of Europe’s history and future were told in relation to nature, plants, garden architecture and agriculture. The garden was a way to make Europe more insightful to the everyday person. It was an exhibition of plants with a story. The sign at the entrance read: "Hortus Europa is a garden where we collect European tales about plants and the relationship we have with nature. It is an ode to European gardens, a place where ancient myths spread their roots and new ideas sprout. Hortus Europa cultivates traditions, memories and visions. Pay close attention, each plant has its own story to tell."

On the New Europeans website a record was kept of the plants added to the garden. Every week a few more we're added and an illustration and accompanying story were published online.

The stories were made into beautiful signs to place in the garden by graphic designer Freja Kir.