11fountains IJlst
In IJlst, something is growing that you do not immediately see. Flowers that endure, even after they have disappeared. Layer by layer, as if time itself has played a part. The Immortal Flowers, Rikka (Onsterfelijke Bloemen, Rikka) shows how everything remains connected. Inspired by stinzen plants and the Japanese art of flower arranging, it brings together nature and culture. What was once planted continues to flourish today.
Artist Shinji Ohmaki draws attention to what seems to have disappeared. Old traditions, forgotten forms and traces hidden beneath the surface. In IJlst, he brings them back into view. Not as a memory, but as something that is still alive.
Immortal Flowers
The fountain in IJlst features a play of shapes and meanings. Flowers appear in the water, inspired by stinzen plants and the Japanese art of flower arranging. The work is called The Immortal Flowers, Rikka (Onsterfelijke Bloemen, Rikka) and refers to everything that endures, even when it can no longer be seen.
For artist Shinji Ohmaki, culture develops layer by layer. New generations build on what was already there. In IJlst, this becomes visible in the fountain. The flowers refer to plants that have been part of the local landscape for centuries and to traditions passed down through time. Nothing truly disappears. It simply takes on a different form.
📍 De Dassenboarch, IJlst
Immortal Flowers | IJlst - nearby
Starting point - for your city trip
In IJlst, you will naturally come across the fountain as you walk through the centre. It stands by the water, among the narrow streets you pass along the way. On your route along the 11fountains, it makes an easy stop.
Take a quick look and carry on. Then perhaps walk around it once more. The closer you get, the more you discover.
More inspiration
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See all 11fountainsCurious about the other fountains? Discover ten more fountains and the unique cities they call home.
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Discover IJlst
Explore IJlstExplore the historic city of IJlst and discover its stories and hidden gems.
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Public art
Read moreAlong the Frisian Wadden coast, art and landscape come together. Sense of Place brings ideas to the clay, the dikes and the villages. Large-scale artworks. Rugged landscapes.
The 11fountains artwork in IJlst is called The Immortal Flowers, Rikka (Onsterfelijke Bloemen, Rikka). The artwork is inspired by flowers, nature and culture.
The fountain in IJlst was designed by Japanese artist Shinji Ohmaki.
The fountain shows how nature and culture are connected, and how everything develops and endures layer by layer.
The fountain is located by the water at De Dassenboarch in IJlst.
Stinzen plants are historic flowering plants that have been growing in Friesland for centuries. In the fountain, they refer to the past and to what has remained visible through time.
Rikka is a style of Japanese flower arranging, also known as ikebana. It represents balance, structure and the symbolic meaning of floral arrangements.