Some years ago I did two works for an unusual theme park in Japan called Huis Ten Bosch.

Huis Ten Bosch is a theme park near Nagasaki that recreates the Netherlands by displaying real size copies of old Dutch buildings. The name Huis Ten Bosch literally translates into English as “House in the Forest”.

The park features many Dutch-style buildings such as hotels, villas, theatres, museums, shops and restaurants, along with canals, windmills, amusement rides and a park planted in seasonal flowers. There is even a 3/4 scale version of the tower of Utrecht. The location reflects historical relations between the Netherlands and Japan, which began in 1609 when a trading post was opened by the Dutch in Hirado, near the site. It was somewhat of a strange experience to fly from Europe to Japan to do this job, only to find myself in a replica Europe again. I was somewhat prepared for it from my experiences with Tokyo Disney Sea some years earlier, but it was still remarkable to see Holland rebuilt in a tropical environment.

The subject I selected was circe”s banquet. In Greek mythology, Circe was the daughter of Helios the god of the sun and Perse.

Her brothers were Aeetes, the keeper of the Golden Fleece and Perses, and her sister was Pasiphaë, the wife of King Minos and mother of the Minotaur. Circe was renowned for her vast knowledge of drugs and herbs. Through the use of magical potions and a wand she transformed her enemies, or those who offended her, into animals.

A stop-motion video was made of the work in progress that can be seen below: