In this duo exhibition, Olivier Otten and Thijn Kolk explore the relationship between nature and technology, authenticity and imitation, and the tension between functionality and form. Both artists approach the artificial flower not as a replacement for the real flower, but as an autonomous object that raises new questions about material, reproduction, and meaning. Olivier's work exists at the intersection of craft and automation, reality and representation. His practice combines traditional graphic techniques with digital processes and examines the role of craftsmanship in an era where everything can be generated and mechanically produced. From a cautious initial fascination with flowers during the pandemic period, a deeper investigation has emerged into the interplay between the organic and the mechanical. This new series of works exists between the tangible and the simulated, exploring the relationship between humans, machines, and nature.

Thijn approaches artificial flowers from the properties of the material itself, guided by its possibilities. Artificial flowers are sometimes called fake flowers, but according to Thijn, this stigma does injustice to the material. In his work, he sees them as entirely independent entities, new materials that demand a different kind of relationship. This begins with respect for the material and its properties. Therefore, he creates vases specifically designed for artificial flowers. For this exhibition, he has developed a series of experimental vases that no longer accommodate the needs of fresh flowers. These vases are not traditional utilitarian objects but form an investigation into how we can relate to the artificial flower. At Het Langhuis, he presents the first phase of this experiment, in which the vase, together with the artificial flower, becomes visible as an autonomous art object, stretching the boundaries of functionality.

Together, Olivier and Thijn create a space where the artificial flower as a concept takes center stage. Their work questions not only the line between real and artificial but also how we relate to the objects and technologies that shape our world.

Olivier Otten