Artwork De Waterloper in use
On Wednesday, December 3, the new artwork De Waterloper (The Water Walker) by the Rotterdam artist group Observatorium was festively unveiled at the Grote Dobbe Zoetermeer. The pavilion, shaped like a drop and appearing to float above the water when viewed from the shore, was shown to the public for the first time.
The Water Runner
The artwork consists of a sculptural drop inspired by the drop-shaped spire of St. Nicholas Church, which can be seen from various locations in the park. From the new deck on the Marseillepad side, a separate walkway has been constructed leading to the artwork. From De Waterloper, everyone has a beautiful view over the water, towards the village and the city center. The artwork is made of anodized aluminum, a durable and virtually maintenance-free material.
Alderman Marijke van der Meer: "De Waterloper brings two worlds together in a special way: the old and familiar village and the dynamic city center. The artwork invites people to meet and share experiences, which is exactly the role that art should play in our city."
Observatorium, formed by Geert van de Camp, Andre Dekker, Lieven Poutsma, and Ruud Reutelingsperger, has been working since 1997 on artworks in public spaces that focus on the experience of landscape, tranquility, and imagination. The spatial installations invite visitors to pause for a moment and look attentively at the world around them. Van de Camp challenged prospective bridal couples in Zoetermeer to have their wedding photo taken in De Waterloper. The couple whose wedding photo is the first to be received by Observatorium will receive a book by the artists' collective (info@observatorium.org).
Resident participation
In Zoetermeer, residents contribute ideas about the artworks in their city. In early 2024, the Kunst Centraal Park project group selected the Observatorium design from various submissions. The project group praised the form, the use of materials, and the meaningful connection the work makes with historic Zoetermeer. De Waterloper is an artwork that reflects the wishes and experiences of the surrounding area.
