Appearance of a Tree, 2008

In Park Sonsbeek stands a linden tree that at first glance does not seem remarkable. Yet this is Appearance of a Tree by the Belgian artist Michel François (1956). During Sonsbeek 2008, the tree was strikingly present: with its root ball wrapped, it hung horizontally on a narrow pedestal, as if it had been removed from its natural environment. After the exhibition, the tree was replanted near the ice cellar, where it has since continued to grow steadily—almost unnoticed, like any other tree. With this simple intervention, François invited us to reconsider the taken-for-granted presence of nature and surroundings.

The linden itself carries rich symbolism. In ancient Northern European traditions, the tree was considered sacred: a protector of homes and springs, a shield against evil spirits. Because of its heart-shaped leaves and fragrant blossoms, the linden was also called the tree of love. This meaning is partly rooted in its exceptionally long lifespan.

François often plays with contrasts and shifts in perspective in his work. In Appearance of a Tree, he reversed the logic of an upright-growing tree by temporarily displaying it horizontally. This approach is characteristic of his versatile oeuvre, in which he works with a wide range of materials and forms, continually seeking a subtle estrangement of the everyday.