Sculptures on the waterfront
Middelburg is a medieval town and the capital of the province of Zeeland, in the
This design was created on a previous analyses on this subject, by Eric Odinot. This concerned a project called "sculpturen aan de kaai", which translated means as much as: "sculptures on the waterfront". The assignement was to find proper locations for sculptural expressions.
This present design concerns a practical proposal for an art-element on this waterfront in Middelburg.
The initial concept was to extend the nature of the town itself, to the waterfront.
Best focussed is the elaborated design to create extra large water-lily-leaves and to put those into the water, next to a platform.
The water-lily-leaves emerge from the water. They encircle the platform. They form an open enclosure, instead of a hedge. The platform is a comfortable space because of the height of the waterlily-leaves.
The leaves can also been seen from the bridge: they give life to the surface of the water. It is like the leaves symbolize the passage between earth and water. And passages are always most intriguing.
This design was created on a previous analyses on this subject, by Eric Odinot. This concerned a project called "sculpturen aan de kaai", which translated means as much as: "sculptures on the waterfront". The assignement was to find proper locations for sculptural expressions.
This present design concerns a practical proposal for an art-element on this waterfront in Middelburg.
The initial concept was to extend the nature of the town itself, to the waterfront.
Best focussed is the elaborated design to create extra large water-lily-leaves and to put those into the water, next to a platform.
The water-lily-leaves emerge from the water. They encircle the platform. They form an open enclosure, instead of a hedge. The platform is a comfortable space because of the height of the waterlily-leaves.
The leaves can also been seen from the bridge: they give life to the surface of the water. It is like the leaves symbolize the passage between earth and water. And passages are always most intriguing.
There is a following sketch to have bronze pollard willows next to the waterfront.
When you enter Middelburg life pollard willows welcome you.
A pollard willow has a antrogene nature and is a typical man-made tree.
Passage is also tangible in the pollard willow: a transition between culture and nature.
Imagine the bronze willows not only along the waterfront, but maybe even in the water as well as on different locations in town. (the pictures of the pollard willows is from Chris Grinwis/Galerie Kos)
The third draft concerns a table presented with water-lily-leaves.
The stems of the leaves form the legs of the table.
The table is intended to be placed along the waterfront. It can be used as a sit-table, a picnic-table or for whatever use one can think of.
Of course matching seats are possible and would make the whole more complete.
When you enter Middelburg life pollard willows welcome you.
A pollard willow has a antrogene nature and is a typical man-made tree.
Passage is also tangible in the pollard willow: a transition between culture and nature.
Imagine the bronze willows not only along the waterfront, but maybe even in the water as well as on different locations in town. (the pictures of the pollard willows is from Chris Grinwis/Galerie Kos)
The third draft concerns a table presented with water-lily-leaves.
The stems of the leaves form the legs of the table.
The table is intended to be placed along the waterfront. It can be used as a sit-table, a picnic-table or for whatever use one can think of.
Of course matching seats are possible and would make the whole more complete.
Costs and materials
A bronze pollard willow is relatively simple to manufacture. It is more do than think.The costs are influenced by the size of the pollard willow, which is not a small object.
But when desired they can be made and placed separately in time.
So putting more willows could be done in stages. This way the costs are spread.
The table with water-lily-leaves requires more elaborate work.
The principle idea is that the table is durable and strong.
This is easily solved by constructing the table stronger and thicker, a suggestion could be, to make it in bronze, or in cast-iron.
The costs depend on the size, the quantity and whether or not chairs are provided. Which seems logical.
The water-lily-leaves can be manufactured in aluminium or even in synthetic material.
Iron is a possibility but would make the whole project much heavier.
Construction-wise the leaves have to be properly secured and they have to be able to withstand some force. The costs are dependant on the quantity and the way they will be secured.
