The Ring of Vinkhuizen – Jean Bernard Koeman (2006)

The Ring of Vinkhuizen by artist Jean Bernard Koeman (1964) is reminiscent of a mini stadium or arena. Vangrail is bent into an oval object in which you can sit: a place for meeting, rest and action.

Benchmark and dialogue machine
The Ring of Vinkhuizen is a simple and effective building that aims to function as a reference point and dialogue machine for the area. With the resources and material of the raging outside world, it has been transformed into a metal alcove that emphasises the city park, the green avenue as a place for meeting, rest and contemplation. The crash barriers that form the construction, however, acquire meaning as metaphors for the motorway, a hectic life and therefore carry a steaming connotation. After rolling, the rails were re-galvanised, giving it the appearance of a silver jewel. Thanks to the material and nature of the construction, one can feel safer than ever inside. After all, what is stronger than a closed form prepared for a collision with a ten-tonner? At the same time, however, this can also be disconcerting, as it leads us to thoughts of limitation. The work is therefore already providing material for discussion.

A monumental sculpture
Residents of Vinkhuizers who are out for a walk see a monumental sculpture, an extravagant construction. They can use it as a place to go out on a sultry summer’s evening or as a vantage point to look out over the neighbourhood: the farm, the green strip, the skate park a little further beyond. Take a breather after exercise. People will find here a seat similar to those in a stadium, coliseum or arena. It is expected that The Ring will mainly be occupied by Vinkhuizen’s youth. That’s more than fine: they deserve an informal, non-content-driven place where they can chat, laugh and discuss. But the construction offers more possibilities than that: as a departure point or arrival point for all kinds of activities, for meetings, as a climbing frame or stargazer, or maybe someone will even sing. Despite its weight and the unbreakable material, the sculpture acquires a certain lucidity, transparency and clarity by means of interrupted strips of ‘air’. Between the guardrails there is a clear view. It is almost a drawing in the landscape, one sees the world through it. In this way, all the lines of the work start to vibrate and it reveals itself differently from every angle. It gets rhythm and feeling. On the other hand, The Ring carries a certain significance for the social cohesion of the neighbourhood. You can see from far away if there is any activity going on inside it. Good for social control but also a prelude to meeting people. The slightly cascading outer form is like a whirlwind, while the other and the heavenly vault reveal themselves within.

Neighbourhood renewal
The Ring of Vinkhuizen is the last of three art commissions forming part of the renovation of the Vinkhuizen neighbourhood. The first project was Duizend Deuren (Thousand Doors) by Ida van der Lee, a theatrical light and sound show which took place on 22 March 2003 in a demolished block of flats on the Spinelstraat. The second piece of art was Soft Spot by Ram Katzir, which was created at Buurtplein 5. In these projects, the CBK collaborated with the Spatial Planning service and Nijestee.
Thanks to the neighbourhood renewal, houses have been demolished, replaced or merged and new houses have been built. There will also be more greenery and new facilities such as a ‘window school’ and housing for the elderly. All this has an enormous influence on the composition of the district and the life of Vinkhuizen’s residents, which is an interesting reason for the CBK to commission these three works of art.

Celebratory unveiling
The Ring of Vinkhuizen enjoyed a celebratory unveiling on Saturday 13 May. The new Alderman for Culture, Jaap Dijkstra, addressed the interested parties. Among other things, he compared the meaning of a ring as a symbol of solidarity and fraternity and expressed the wish that The Ring will serve as a meeting place. Dijkstra also thanked local residents Alie Luining, Willie Kiezebrink and Hans ten Berge for their involvement and efforts in the realisation of this art commission. Speaker Stefan Nieuwenhuis then had a short interview with the creator of the artwork: Jean Bernard Koeman. Finally, the Groningen band LPG and the Flemish dancer-choreographer Koen Augustijnen gave a dazzling performance, to the delight of everyone present.