Tropical Garden

In 2014, the Watergeusplein in Rotterdam received a tropical surprise with the arrival of Tropical Garden — a visual oasis of greenery created by artist duo Monique Benthin and Rick Messemaker. The work is part of the broader Copy Garden concept, in which a fragment of an existing green environment is “copied” into a grey, uninviting urban space. In this case, the inspiration came from the Amazonica butterfly garden at Rotterdam Zoo (Diergaarde Blijdorp).

The artwork consists of a massive photo wall measuring 11.5 by 11.5 meters, depicting a vibrant tropical garden. At the base of this wall, a real garden was planted with vegetation that mirrors the image — plants, shrubs, and trees corresponding to those in the photograph. A carefully designed path enhances the illusion that you can step into the picture itself. This form of trompe-l’oeil quite literally adds a new dimension to the urban landscape.

Copy Garden Tropical is not only an ode to biodiversity and aesthetics but also a powerful gesture toward greening and livability in densely populated neighborhoods. The project was initiated by Lotti Hesper Projectontwikkeling as part of Buurtflirt, with support from partners such as Havensteder, Esbi, and local residents. Mothership curated the artwork, led the participation process, and handled production.