Zwischenlandschaften

Picus, a former Eindhoven based wood factory played an important role in the machining of timber in The Netherlands until the 1960s. Now, all that activity has ceased, and nothing remains. This former industrial area is now known for its D.I.Y. shops, newly built houses and the city’s only canal. The story of this unassuming factory is in fact linked with many narratives in world history, including subjects like colonialism and diasporic migration. After World War II, Picus explored the possibilities of using tropical wood from Suriname. There, in cooperation with the Dutch state and the Freeland League, possibilities for a Jewish settlement were discussed. Picus was supposed to create the wooden, prefabricated houses for the resettlement of 30.000 refugees. The site where the factory used to be is therefore laden with historical meaning. However, these layers of historical importance are only visible when you know about them. Luckily the archive has recently been opened up to the arti