Hooray, it's summer in town again! For art lovers, it’s a time of difficult choices: cool off in Hoornsemeer (a local lake) or at a museum? Should you grab a spot on the patio before or after visiting that gallery? Kunstspot is making it easy for you this summer with a list that takes the stress out of selection: seven visual art installations in summertime hotspots.
1. WATER - LIGHT
Hoornsemeer is just a 15-minute bike ride from the Grote Markt. Although this lake south of the city has lost some of its popularity since the arrival of the urban beach on Oosterhamrikkade, Hoornsemeer (also called Hornylake) is still a lovely place to take a swim and walk the dog. At this dividing line between water and land, works of art have been placed in two spots along the lake: the two-part Water - Light by Loes Heebink and Carlo Kroon, installed in 1992. These four-metre-high conical sculptures are a bit like ice cream cones: one lies in the grass like a sweet treat dropped on the ground and shines neon light in all sorts of colours, while the other stands proudly upright and sprays water. By the way, you can swim under them just fine. Anyone up for a Cornetto?
2. MADONNA OF THE MISTS
Not a big fan of swimming, but enjoy a bit of nautical activity? Near the Zernike, behind the Paddepoel district, is the Reitdiephaven (a well-known, local waterfront), where you can rent a sloop and take boat trips through the vast Groningen countryside. The bike ride to Reitdiephaven alone is worthwhile, especially if you take the Jaagpad that runs along the Reitdiep. Along the waterfront stands Madonna van de Nevelen (Madonna of the Mists - 2005), a bronze sculpture by Luk van Soom. Despite its size, this nearly three-metre tall figure appears to be made of clouds and mist, as if the Madonna is moving with the currents of air rolling over the water and with the mist rising from the ground.
3. SECRET LIFE IN A PUBLIC BODY
Prefer a tour of our city's canals? Not a problem. As soon as the sun comes up, you can head out by canoe, barbecue boat, sailboat, paddleboard or pedalo. Have a picnic on board as you drift past the Museumbrug to Oosterhaven. You can see directly under the bridges. Take a break on the Oosterkade, where a gigantic bronze sculpture by Henk Visch stands near Voor 't Voormalige Klein Poortje (a street). His Secret Life in a Public Body, realised in 2001, stretches out beside the waterfront on its knees and fingertips. Fun fact: this sculpture is the exact same size as a parking space.
4. ONS BLAUWE HART
After all that hard work, you're probably ready for a witbier or a glass of rosé on the terrace. If that’s what you’re looking for, the Grote Markt on Poelestraat is the place to be: simply grab a seat on one of the rows of terraces. Chances are that you will come across Ons Blauwe Hart (Our Blue Heart - 2012) by Erwin Stienstra. On the side of the Drie Gezusters pub (the Gelkingestraat side), you can find this 4.5 x 1 tilework. The tiles are a bit reminiscent of Delft Blue, with corners full of QR codes. If you scan it with your mobile, you will learn all sorts of things about the city centre and Gelkingestraat. It’s a cool way to learn a bit of city history.
5. EEN OASE IN DE STAD
Are you utterly fed up with the summer crowds in the city? Need to escape those tropical temperatures? Visual artist Noud de Wolf created a peaceful, shady city garden entitled Een Oase in de Stad (An Oasis in the City) next to the former Natuurmuseum on Praediniussingel in 1999. Next to the entrance to the Academie Minerva building, a path begins behind a Corten steel fence that winds past various plant species, a spring and a fountain. Among the butterflies, buzzing insects and rustling leaves, you get away from it all for a while. The garden is also accessible to people with visual limitations, as the artist has placed a system of landmarks with an increasing number of stones on the route.
6. WISENT
No summer is complete without a visit or ten to the Noorderplantsoen. You can sunbathe, exercise, picnic, have drinks with friends, feed ducks and, of course, hike. That main landmark in this huge park is often ‘De Bizon’ (The Bison), as in: ‘Shall we meet at De Bizon?’ and referring to the colossal sculpture on Boteringesingel. It is actually a European bison, which is also Europe's largest animal. This bison by sculptor Wladimir de Vries was created back in 1976, making it the oldest artwork on this list. The behemoth weighs over ten tonnes, is two metres high and three metres long, and is hewn from a single piece of limestone. It required a crane to place it at the time, but has stood proudly and powerfully among the greenery ever since.
7. ROLLEBOLLEN
As you cycle down Korreweg towards Noorderplantsoen, you’ll pass a large lawn on your left at Bernouilli Square with many spheres. This is the artwork Rollebollen (Frolicking - 1983) by René de Boer, consisting of seven spheres made of sheets of brass welded together and measuring between 90 and 150 centimetres in diameter. They seem very heavy, but you can roll them across the lawn with ease, setting the internal contents of the balls in motion: wood sticks, sand and marbles create different sounds. In fine weather, the balls are joined by families and students who enjoy this peaceful alternative to the Plantsoen.