Taxidermic installation about the cycle of life and that all matter is in a continuous state of rearrangement.

 “On the edge of a dark meadow lies a fox. It seems that he sleeps under the clear starry sky. If you look closer, it's not sleep, it's death. Volatile matter rises from his body into the universe. There it seems as if stars and matter mix. Liquid nutrients flow out of the body, into the earth.

The sun rises slowly. The stars in the sky change into a large swarm of flies that fly back to the fox and swarm on and around the animal. The fluids in the earth turn into worms and beetles, fine root structures and seeds.

In the distance, a large black crow flies by. We almost feel the warmth as the sun rises and seeds germinate in the ground. Their fragile stems bask in sunlight, their roots seeking nutrients from underneath the fox. The crow lands next to the fox and pecks at the carcass, takes a piece of meat to feed its young and flies off.

The sun reaches its peak and so do the flowers in a fragrance bloom. They sway gently around the fox.

Under, on and around the fox it is teeming with life; small beetles, maggots, ants, butterflies. Larvae emerge. Birds and mice feast on the seeds and insects. In the earth it is very busy, insects and roots form a chaotic whole.

The sun begins its descent. Slowly the flowers withers, disappears back into the earth.

The crowds of plants, insects and other animals are diminishing.

The fencer enters, the peace and quiet around the fox returns. Withered flower stalks lie on the ground. Larvae and pupae are safely waiting in the earth. The fox's teeth glisten in the gloom.

The sun’s down. It's quiet and dark again. Tomorrow the cycle will start all over again.

In the distance, the horizon forms a subtle line between heaven and earth.”

Credits:

Groote Museum team: Peter den Decker, Haig Balian, Marjolein Drenth, Colette Olof.

Exhibition design and creative consultant: Michel de Vaan for Kossman en de Jong

Project management and listening ear: Harrie Knol

Production Animation: PietHarm Sterk, Constant Panhuys for Bindfilm

Animation: Sophie de Jong

Sound: Peter Flamman

Light: Simon Conner

Multimedia realization: Tom Aarts and Rutger de Vries of Ata Tech

Construction: Ilone Bloemen for Bruns exhibitions