Preliminary design The Water Runner for central park
In the spring of 2025, a new work of art will appear in the waters of Grote Dobbe : The Water Runner by Observatory. The design, inspired by the spire of St. Nicholas Church, represents a sculptural drop floating above the surface of the water. The sculpture symbolizes the water around us, above us, below us and within us.
The water in the middle of the city both separates and connects the old Village and the new City Heart. The water brings the city together and provides a moment of tranquility. From the deck in the water along the Marseillepad, a narrower deck of 12 meters leads to De Waterloper. From De Waterloper you have a beautiful view over the water, the Village and Stadshart. The Water Runner will be made of anodized aluminum. That material has long durability and it is virtually maintenance free. The work of art can be admired in real life in the spring of 2025.
Project group Art central park, consisting of residents of Zoetermeer, chose the idea of Observatory 'De Waterloper' from 3 sketch ideas to be developed into a work of art at the end of 2023. The Art Central Park project group: "We chose this idea of De Waterloper because it is beautiful in form, material and color. You can meet or sit there for a while. The drop shape of the sculpture makes a nice connection to the old Zoetermeer." The design of De Waterloper has been reviewed by the Accessibility Council.
Observatorium (1997, Rotterdam) is the partnership of the artists Geert van de Camp, Andre Dekker, Lieven Poutsma and Ruud Reutelingsperger. Observatorium stands for works of art where you can experience the workings of the imagination in the public realm and be seduced into a moment of stillness and undivided attention to the world around it(www.observatorium.org).
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Sketch idea The Water Runner chosen for central park
Project Group Art Central Park, consisting of Zoetermeer residents, selected the idea of Observatory 'De Waterloper' from 3 sketch ideas to be developed into a work of art.
The design depicts a sculptural drop floating above the surface of the water at Grote Dobbe . The sculpture symbolizes the water around us, above us, below us and within us. The water in the middle of the city both separates and connects the old Village and the new City Heart. The water brings the city together and provides a moment of calm. The spire of St. Nicholas Church was also an inspiration for the drop shape. The exact location in the water is still being studied. Account will be taken of the existing works of art and the part of the water owned by the Ambachtsheer.
The Water Runner will be made of anodized aluminum. That material has long durability and it is virtually maintenance-free.
The Art Central Park project group chose the idea of The Water Runner because it is beautiful in shape, material and color. You can meet or sit there for a while. The Water Runner is accessible to residents or visitors with disabilities. The drop shape of the sculpture makes a nice connection to the old Zoetermeer.
In the coming months, the sketch idea will be developed into a design which will be reviewed by the project group, the Accessibility Council and advisors from the municipality. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Observatorium (1997, Rotterdam) is the partnership of the artists Geert van de Camp, Andre Dekker, Lieven Poutsma and Ruud Reutelingsperger. Observatorium stands for works of art where you can experience the workings of the imagination in the public space and are enticed into a moment of stillness and undivided attention to the world around it(www.observatorium.org).
