The Ring of Vinkhuizen (De Ring van Vinkhuizen)

About this artwork.

De Ring van Vinkhuizen is a mini colosseum, ten metres long and three metres high, made of crash barriers. The artwork is not only to be viewed, but people are also allowed to sit in it. There is space between the crash barriers so that you can look in and out.

Jean Bernard Koeman about his work: “Because of the material and nature of the building, one can feel safer inside than ever, because what is stronger than a closed form prepared for a collision with a ten-tonner?”

The artist did not modify the crash barriers, they were only rolled into shape. With the material from the motorway, Koeman has created a place of rest and assembly. De Ring van Vinkhuizen, the artist says, can be used as a place to visit on a sultry summer evening or as a lookout post to oversee the neighbourhood. People will find here a seat similar to those in a stadium, coliseum or arena. But the building also offers opportunities for meetings and all kinds of other community activities.

The Ring of Vinkhuizen is the last of three art commissions issued by the CBK Groningen, in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Affairs and housing corporation Nijestee, as part of the renovation of the Vinkhuizen neighbourhood. The first project was Thousand Doors by Ida van der Lee. The second piece of art was Soft Spot by Ram Katzir. 
 
It is striking that Jean Bernard Koeman did not make this artwork especially for Vinkhuizen. It was temporarily located in Brussels in 2000 and in The Hague in 2002. In 2006 it finally found a permanent location in the Diamantpark in Vinkhuizen.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  Jean Bernard Koeman

• District
  Vinkhuizen

• Year of creation
  2006

• Art type
  Freestanding sculpture

• Material
  Galvanized steel

• Dimensions
  h 2,50 x b 9,00 x d 4,00 m