Frequently asked questions
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How did Boompijl come about?
In 2016, a big storm raged over Brabant: thick tree trunks were snapped like matchsticks. Artist Tijs Rooijakkers cycled past it and in his fantasy, he saw trees as fired mortars, as if it were a war among the trees with trunks that fire themselves like arrows. Since then, he has looked at trees differently and the arrow as a symbol nestles in his head. A few years later, when the museums were closed due to Corona, Tijs and Vivian joined forces and Boompijl is born as a guerrilla art project. Besides an ode to adaptability of people and nature, the project is intended to bring people into contact with art during the lockdown. In December 2020 we did a pilot in Eindhoven. The arrowheads were a canvas for others: author Leonieke Baerwaldt, visual artist Big Daddy Gun (Stijn Bles), graffiti artist Stijn van Leest, actor and musician BRAZ (Bryan van Belzen) made artwork. And, together with students from SintLucas, we developed the online platform www.boompijl.nl. Boompijl has now grown into a rural landscape art and research project.
Why 'invasive'?
Boompijl is an invasive art project: it grows in a different place than where it originated. This term is a nod to invasive exotics in nature. These often receive negative attention because they pose a threat to biodiversity. Boompijl wants to penetrate the landscape in a positive and creative way and plant a seed for a different view of the environment.
I want to help, what can I do?
Our dream is a crisscross tree arrow forest where a great diversity of trees grows and flies. Do you know or are you someone with a piece of land? Please contact us and we will work out a plan together. We are also preparing a crowdfunding campaign to collect 1000 trees with which we can plant our forest. Do you have experience with crowdfunding or planting forests: join us!
Can I also order Boompijl tree arrows?
Of course! Also in bunches if you want ;-) The planting season is from November to April. Do you already have a crooked tree in your garden or park? Then we van make custom arrowheads all year round. We will first talk to you about the history of the place where the tree stands. In this way we can tell a beautiful story together with the tree. Contact us by email: boompijl@tijsrooijakkers.nl.
Where and when can I see Boompijl?
On our Boompijl map you can see an up-to-date overview of the tree arrows and you can easily navigate there. Note: some tree arrows are only visible temporarily. The locations marked in green are on view now. Is the ball gray? Too bad, then this Boompijl has already flown. Don't want to miss anything? Follow our insta and #boompijl.