Visoko:
In Bosnia, a devoted Vincent Van Gogh fan has transformed a piece of land into a massive living replica of the famous painter’s masterpiece, “Starry Night”, using thousands of plants.
“Vincent Van Gogh is a part of our heritage as well. This is a way of honoring him,” said Halim Zukic in an interview with AFP.
Spread across a dozen hectares, tens of thousands of lavender bushes, grasses, and other plants create swirls and spirals that closely resemble the iconic celestial scene painted by Van Gogh in 1889.
“We aimed to capture the essence of the painting by adhering to its shapes and proportions in a three-dimensional space,” Zukic explained. “I believe we have achieved that.”
Zukic, a 56-year-old entrepreneur, stumbled upon the land two decades ago and initially planned to build a small garden. However, the idea of recreating “Starry Night” came to him in 2018, inspired by tractor tracks on the lawn.
Over the years, Zukic acquired more land, enlisted the help of gardeners, and planted around 130,000 lavender bushes, along with various trees and plants, to bring his vision to life.
His passion for Van Gogh grew as he delved into the painter’s life and visited significant locations in France where Van Gogh lived and worked.
While the park is still developing, Zukic believes it will only get more beautiful with time as the plants flourish. He emphasizes the importance of patience in creating a natural masterpiece.
“Money is not the only requirement for a park. Time is essential. We have laid a strong foundation, and the park will evolve year after year,” Zukic remarked.
(This article is unaltered except for the title and has been sourced from a syndicated feed.)
