Hekwerken Noorderkerk/Bethesda

About this artwork.

At the Noorderkerk, there are two playful fences with graphic designs created by Henk Gruppen. The Noorderkerk fence and the Bethesda fence, named after the complexes they hang over, are made of corten steel plates. These have now beautifully oxidized. Gruppen used whole plates of corten steel, from which the designs were cut out using laser cutting.

Henk Gruppen is a graphic designer and approached the designs for the fences as a graphic designer. He was inspired by several graphic elements that can be found on and in the Noorderkerk and the graphic design language of the 1920s and 1930s. This includes circles, waves, and both horizontal and vertical brick patterns. According to Gruppen, a fence is generally characterized by vertical bars, which have therefore become the main graphic element. He built wave patterns, horizontal, and vertical elements around it. Irregularities also play a role in the design, so that the design does not become too strict.

About the assignment.

The fences are part of the redevelopment of the Noorderkerk and the adjacent nursing home Bethesda into an apartment complex, which was completed in 2020. Property developer Hans Keulen had the outdoor spaces designed by Jeanne Meijboom Garden Design. As part of these plans, two fences were also renewed: the old gate on Akkerstraat and a fence on Noorderbuitensingel. Gruppen was commissioned in 2019 to design the two fences, and they were installed in January 2021.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  Henk Gruppen

• District
  Oranjebuurt (incl. Noorderplantsoen)

• Year of creation
  2020

• Art type
  Design, Art in / on a building

• Material
  Cortenstaal

• Dimensions
  Noorderkerkhekken: 1,49 x 1,43 m (2 x)
  Bethesdahekken: 1,90 x 1,93 m (2 x)