Paradys is a production by Arcadia in collaboration with Kunsthuis Syb, Kunstinitiatief VHDG, Noorderlicht, Stichting Symbio, H47, Fries Museum, Blokhuispoort, Tresoar, Natuurmuseum Fryslân, Historisch Centrum Leeuwarden and the Culture and Nature Network of We the North, made possible in part by the Mondriaan Fund.

Until 24 August, the heart of Leeuwarden and various other locations in Fryslân will be transformed into a stage for thought-provoking art from the Netherlands and abroad with Paradys. Under the theme of ‘grûn’ (soil/ground), renowned artists from Fryslân and around the world explore our relationship with the earth, with our history, and with the landscape around us. The exhibition is free to visit. In Leeuwarden, there is a walking route past the artworks, and works can also be seen in Beetsterzwaag, Mirns and on the island of Vlieland. Surrounding the exhibition is a supporting programme including artist talks, guided tours, and hands-on sessions.

Whether you are a seasoned culture enthusiast or a curious wanderer keen to see the city and province through new eyes: you are welcome! Discover the stories of the artists, uncover hidden spots yn 'e stêd (in the city), explore further beyond it, and marvel at the world beneath your feet.

Walking route in Leeuwarden

The walking route in Leeuwarden starts and ends at Bouwurk in front of the Oldehove, the central meeting point of Paradys. From there, a layered walk full of art, reflection, and imagination unfolds. The further you walk and let your eyes wander, the more the city beneath your feet and before your eyes begins to transform.

·       Peng Zhang

At Bouwurk, Peng Zhang creates a living garden that connects land and city: On the Field of Hope. Here he explores the relationship between humans, art, and nature. Throughout the summer, he organises workshops, performances and community gatherings, all open for free participation.

·       Mounira Al Solh

In H47, Mounira Al Solh presents Fat Branches, Open Pines, an installation about the oldest cedar tree in Lebanon. This tree has stood for thousands of years and symbolises strength, nature, and history. Inspired by her installation, Al Solh will plant a Lebanese cedar in Vijverpark together with newcomers to the municipality of Leeuwarden, as a symbol of a new future.

·       Koos Buster

Koos Buster presents Donatiepotten (Donation Pots), colourful glass sculptures at Bouwurk that play with the idea of rituals and altruism. Visitors are invited to donate money into them – and to ask themselves why. Does pure altruism exist, or is there always an element of self-interest?

·       Werker Collective

In A Moving History of the Young Worker, Werker Collective explores the history of the international workers' movement from a queer perspective. The representation of the worker's body and the philosophy of Ferdinand Domela Nieuwenhuis play an important role.

·       VHDG: Grensverleggers

Roísín Douglas curated the group exhibition Grensverleggers (Border Shifters) especially for Paradys at VHDG. The exhibition brings together artists who explore, question, and shift the boundaries between humans, animals, and landscape. Featuring works by Xandra van der Eijk, Ai Ozaki, Deirdre O’Mahony, Amber Veel, Elena Khurtova, and Anika Schwarzlose.

·       Saskia Noor van Imhoff

With Liminal Spaces, Saskia Noor van Imhoff delves into the many layers of time found in the Pier Pander Temple in the Prinsentuin. Inside the temple, she combines historical and digital materials, such as glass, wood, and a bronze cast of part of one of Pander's sculptures. At REST in Mirns, Van Imhoff ploughed a circle into the land in the same dimensions as the temple. She planted five trees here, symbolising the five temple statues.

·       Stijn ter Braak

For the past few years, Stijn ter Braak has based his artworks on what people throw away. In Werk In Uitvoering (Work In Progress), he examines the relationship between waste, art, and city. Working from a container on Voorstreek, he collaborates with the local mienskip (community) to create a sculpture from rubbish. Through this transformation, he questions how we deal with consumption as a society.

·       Tjibbe Hooghiemstra & Nyk de Vries

With their installation MYN FEST IS DYN FEST, Tjibbe Hooghiemstra & Nyk de Vries focus on the flipside of the cherished Frisian concept of mienskip. In a white, sacred space in the Pier Pander Museum, the visitor is confronted with the question: What happens when roles are reversed, when it’s unclear who is the Frisian and who is the migrant?

·       Hedwich Rooks

In Tresoar, Hedwich Rooks presents Ynfra, about the hidden Zuidwal volcano beneath the Wadden Sea. This work invites you to view the world beneath our feet differently. The other part of her installation is on view at Brouwerij Fortuna on Vlieland, in collaboration with Noorderlicht and Into the Great Wide Open.

·       Sanne Vaassen

Sanne Vaassen, winner of the Symbio Art Prize 2024, worked with biologists on the water installation Fountain of Heartbeats at Natuurmuseum Fryslân. In this installation, she brings the rhythm of nature to life. The Fountain of Heartbeats consists of a reservoir that pumps water through various metal pipes, each representing the heartbeat of an important animal from Leeuwarden’s natural ecosystem.

·       Gabriel Chaile

Gabriel Chaile presents one of his large, characteristic sculptures at Bouwurk: a being made from brick and red clay called Brenda. Uniquely, Chaile’s sculpture also functions as an oven. During Arcadia, Brenda will actually be used for baking several times, including for Brood Stoven.

·       Ai Ozaki

Ai Ozaki exhibits Jars, a group of vases inspired by Japanese culture, at the Historisch Centrum Leeuwarden. The vases are also used as fermentation vessels. Micro-organisms cause the vases to “cry” during fermentation, emphasising their corporeal presence.

Paradys outside Leeuwarden

Three artworks that are part of Paradys are located elsewhere: at Kunsthuis SYB in Beetsterzwaag, at REST in Mirns, and at Brouwerij Fortuna on Vlieland.

·       Selma Selman

In 600 Years of Migrant Mothers, Selma Selman explores six centuries of family history. At Kunsthuis SYB in Beetsterzwaag, she presents paintings, film, and sound works focused on forgotten female ancestors. Inspired by her own Roma background and her family's history in metal recycling, she links personal stories with feminist strategies, offering new perspectives on heritage, identity, and political visibility.

·       Saskia Noor van Imhoff

The second part of Saskia Noor van Imhoff’s work (the other part is part of the walking route) is on view at REST, a research project based around a farm in Mirns. REST explores the layered history of the landscape through art, design, and food. The exhibition Twee Hectare connects artists with hidden stories from the area.

·       Hedwich Rooks

At Brouwerij Fortuna on Vlieland, Hedwich Rooks presents Ynfra in the exhibition Making the Invisible Visible, part of the Noorderlicht Biennale Machine Entanglements. Alongside other artists, she reveals hidden natural processes such as underground water flows. Her work complements the installation in Tresoar and shows how the earth carries stories beyond the visible.