De Bakermat, 2008

In the middle of the pond stands De Bakermat (The Cradle) by the Belgian artist Johan Creten (1963). The work consists of three beehives which, because of their shape, can also be read as faces. They were crafted using an ancient straw-weaving technique and then cast in bronze. During Sonsbeek 2008, the hives were actually inhabited by around 150,000 bees, which flew in and out through the openings in the mouths and eyes. Due to the humid environment, the hives are now empty. Next to the beehives stands a traditional cradle basket, also cast in bronze: an object in which generations of children were cared for and cherished during the first months of their lives.

In this work, Creten connects multiple layers of meaning. The cradle refers to birth and origin, the bees to community and cooperation. Their society—a matriarchy largely composed of tireless workers—is not only a mirror for human structures but also essential for our survival. Without bees, our food production would be seriously threatened.

Craftsmanship, traditional materials, and rich symbolism form a common thread in Creten’s oeuvre. With De Bakermat, he emphasizes that humans are not above nature: our existence is inseparably linked to that of animals and the ecosystems around us.