How to Practice Paradise

EXtern is the new branch of EXutrecht. We continuously present art in new, unconventional locations. This inaugural exhibition takes place at Tuincentrum STECK UTRECHT. Gageldijk 3, 3566 ME Utrecht.

Sasja Houba’s work ‘How to Practice Paradise’ is a project that approaches gardens as more than mere extensions of the home. Blending art, history, and personal stories, this work investigates how ordinary gardens can transform into visions of paradise. For this research, Houba visited various backyards in and around Utrecht (including Rijnsweerd, Sterrenwijk, Wilhelminapark, and Zuilen), interviewing garden owners about the (symbolic) value of their gardens. In addition, Houba studied depictions of paradise across diverse eras and cultures.

This research revealed five recurring elements shared by historical representations of paradise and contemporary (back)gardens: (1) a water feature, (2) an enclosure, (3) a symbolic tree, (4) a ‘garden mascot’, and (5) a place for rest and reflection. These elements formed the basis for both the physical installation and the accompanying publication.