Jasper Riehm, widely recognized in Amsterdam under his alias “That Weird Plant Guy,” has reshaped urban greenery through his innovative use of living willows along the city’s iconic canals. Having swapped the chef’s knife for garden shears, Jasper’s new canvas is the water’s edge, where he intricately weaves willow branches into living sculptures that morph with the seasons.
They’re vibrant, sustainable interventions that blend seamlessly into the urban landscape while fostering a robust ecosystem, improving soil health and utilizing willows cut down by the gemeente (local authority) that would otherwise be used for bio fuel.
Each structure is a testament to Jasper’s vision of an integrated, greener urban environment, inviting Amsterdammers and visitors alike to reconsider their interaction with nature in a metropolitan setting. Jasper’s work, rooted deeply in his commitment to environmental art and urban ecological balance, transforms the mundane into the magical, making Amsterdam feel even more like a home amid its historic waterways.
Search more :
• “European Commission, Urban Health Initiative, 2021”
• “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021”
• “Build Healthy Places Network, Community Engagement Report, 2019”
