ingeborg Meulendijks

The Resonant Garden - The golden hour

In Steyl, located on the Meuse River, there are three large monastery complexes. Between these historic buildings lie walled monastery gardens. These gardens were laid out at the end of the 19th century by monks and nuns and are home to many species of plants, both native and exotic, which originated from seeds brought from all over the world. These monastery gardens are in the tradition of the hortus conclusus (enclosed garden), which functions as an interior in the landscape.
Because the gardens are walled and closed to visitors from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., a microcosm has developed, a sanctuary for small animals, including many species of birds.

Traditionally, the Steyler monastery gardens are called “The Silent Garden”. Your perception of time changes when you pass through the gate and enter the garden. To experience this for yourself, artist Ingeborg Meulendijks (who lives and works in one of the monastery buildings) organised two walks at two special times.

The walks took place on Sunday morning, 22 June 2025, during the early hours (blue hour/golden hour). After the longest day of the year, “the great silence” begins among the birds as the days grow shorter.

04:30: Walk 'the blue hour': the hour before sunrise
06:30: Walk 'the golden hour': the hour after sunrise

Both very early morning walks focus on the wonder of everyday life, the awakening of the day.

The blue hour

The blue hour is the hour before sunrise. The first light after midsummer night becomes visible. In mid-June, this coincides with the prayer time Matins, the first hour (4:30 a.m.), which focuses on vigil and hope for the light.
When the weather conditions are right, the sky and the garden take on a magical blue colour.

The golden hour

The golden hour is the hour after sunrise. It coincides with the prayer time Lauds (6:30 a.m.). The Latin word Lauden means hymn, a hymn to the light. During the golden hour, the light is softer and warmer because of the angle of the sun and how it interacts with the Earth's atmosphere. It gives the garden a golden glow, a natural halo.

‍

In collaboration with:
Buitenplaats Kasteel Wijlre, NL
Odapark centre for contemporary art, NL

Pictures by Nikolas Fahlbusch

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In Steyl, located on the Meuse River, there are three large monastery complexes. Between these historic buildings lie walled monastery gardens. These gardens were laid out at the end of the 19th century by monks and nuns and are home to many species of plants, both native and exotic, which originated from seeds brought from all over the world. These monastery gardens are in the tradition of the hortus conclusus (enclosed garden), which functions as an interior in the landscape.
Because the gardens are walled and closed to visitors from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., a microcosm has developed, a sanctuary for small animals, including many species of birds.

Traditionally, the Steyler monastery gardens are called “The Silent Garden”. Your perception of time changes when you pass through the gate and enter the garden. To experience this for yourself, artist Ingeborg Meulendijks (who lives and works in one of the monastery buildings) organised two walks at two special times.

The walks took place on Sunday morning, 22 June 2025, during the early hours (blue hour/golden hour). After the longest day of the year, “the great silence” begins among the birds as the days grow shorter.

04:30: Walk 'the blue hour': the hour before sunrise
06:30: Walk 'the golden hour': the hour after sunrise

Both very early morning walks focus on the wonder of everyday life, the awakening of the day.

The blue hour

The blue hour is the hour before sunrise. The first light after midsummer night becomes visible. In mid-June, this coincides with the prayer time Matins, the first hour (4:30 a.m.), which focuses on vigil and hope for the light.
When the weather conditions are right, the sky and the garden take on a magical blue colour.

The golden hour

The golden hour is the hour after sunrise. It coincides with the prayer time Lauds (6:30 a.m.). The Latin word Lauden means hymn, a hymn to the light. During the golden hour, the light is softer and warmer because of the angle of the sun and how it interacts with the Earth's atmosphere. It gives the garden a golden glow, a natural halo.

‍

In collaboration with:
Buitenplaats Kasteel Wijlre, NL
Odapark centre for contemporary art, NL

Pictures by Nikolas Fahlbusch

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