Jennifer Tee , Jonas Ohlsson
The invisible world, built on dreams

As such Tee and Ohlsson transformed the entire space into a work of art by using the concept of ‘rite of passage’ as a metaphor. A rite of passage refers to the process that human experiences when transitioning from one state of being to another and can be either spiritual or psychological in nature. Many rites of passage – such as birth, reaching adulthood (initiation to manhood/womanhood), and death – are all formally celebrated in a culturally-determined fashion. In designing this garden, the artists not only wanted to achieve a physical space that one can pass through or stay in, but also to create a mental space that represents the possibility of a transition from one state to another: a rite de passage.

In the garden, the artists allocated a prominent position to a large table in the form of a Rorschach pattern. Seated on one of the wooden seats that surround this table, people can receive creative therapy. In addition, fans and banners were placed at both ends of the most logical walking route from the entrance of the building to the winter garden’s exit. These objects rotate when someone passes through them and the colorful banners symbolize change. Ohlsson and Tee also made two totem-like lanterns when they were in China and distributed these randomly in the garden. The lanterns are made of porcelain and feature drawings and texts inspired by the concept of ‘rite of passage’ and an elongated, comfortable sofa on which people can rest as well as eight very old olive trees, complement the scene. The raw and undressed wooden pots that hold the olive trees, symbolize a forest where one can wander in but also get lost in.

Jonas Ohlsson also organized a number of workshops on moulding with his clients. The objects that resulted from these workshops were attached to the wooden plant pots as well as being put on display on the Rorschach table. De Wintertuin (the winter garden) was commissioned by the Kennemer Gasthuis and De Geestgronden.