Vast fields full of flowers, meandering streams and villages built on hills. Groningen's landscape is a work of art in itself. Not for nothing did it serve as inspiration for many an artist. Real works of art can also be found in this landscape. Art made by human hands. Of steel, stone and wood. Art with a story. Come along, past works of art in the Groningen landscape.
The Great Viewer
Ten Boer - Between the Damsterdiep and the Ten Boersterbos lies a four-hectare landscape park. In the park you will find a six-metre-high hill, the Spottershill. On top you will find a pair of corten steel binoculars made by Herbert Koekkoek. The viewer's lens is focused on the city of Groningen, in reference to the partnership the former municipality of Ten Boer had with the city. Fancy actively discovering art? De Grote Kijker' is part of a cycle route that Kunstpunt has set out along art in Ten Boer.
City markings
Groningen - North, oost, south or west. Whichever way you come from, when you drive into the city, chances are you will come across one of the city markers. They were placed in 1990 in honour of Groningen's 950th anniversary. Just as gateways used to mark the city's borders. Each artwork was designed by a different artist, making for a colourful collection of works. From a joker on a tower of cards to an electricity mast indicating the days of the week.
De Baak
Lutjegast - In a meadow near Lutjegast stands a pile of stones, but not just any pile of stones. You may not realise it at first glance, but you are standing here on the northernmost tip of an offshoot of the Drents Plateau. A landscape formed by several ice ages. In those times, many boulders from Scandinavia came this way. The work is a reference to the history of the area. And the name says it all: the 6.5-metre-high work of art is a beacon in the landscape.
Hemelpoort
Noordkaap - Here, at the northernmost tip of the Dutch mainland, stands 'De Hemelpoort', an impressive 2.5-metre-high gate. Exposure to the weather (and there is plenty of that here), has given the gate its rust-brown colour. Groningen artist René de Boer actually named his gate 'Gate Cape North', but 'De Hemelpoort' soon became a popular favourite. Standing here on top of the dike and looking out over the sandbanks, you can only agree.
Rest stops
Various places - Need to catch your breath while cycling? You can do so at a rest stop. In the north of the province, they take this quite literally. At five iconic spots you will find huge sculptures of people resting. How nice: you too can unwind here, the benches are meant for just that. The sculptures are placed in prominent places in the landscape, such as windmill 'the Goliath' and Noordpolderzijl.
Ede Staal monument
Delfzijl - Since 2001, you can find a large statue on the dyke near Delfzijl. This ten-metre-high column is an ode to Groningen singer Ede Staal. The most famous interpreter of the Groningen song died 15 years earlier in the same city. The silver wrapper around the column features the lyrics of one of his best-known songs, 'Credo- Mien bestoan'.
Entrance gates
Borgercompagnie - Between Veendam and Sappemeer lies the village of Borgercompagnie. A village that has stretched out for so long that it lies in two municipalities. In fact, in 2002, when the artwork 'Access Gates' was built, there were still three municipalities here. The artwork was built at the three-municipality point. The pillars form the gates to each of the three municipalities. Also, each of the columns has a different colour, to show the differences between the regions. The ring connecting the pillars incorporates drawings by children from the municipalities.
Wind buoy
Nieuwe Statenzijl - A work of art that is different every time you look at it, that is the wind buoy. This work of art on the dike near Nieuwe Statenzijl, where you can also find the Kiekkaaste, is guided by the wind. This is because the eight-metre-high sculpture by Martin Borchert stands loose on the dike. Because the spherical base is weighted with concrete, the work of art sways with the wind, but stays in place.
Theater van de natuur
Sellingen - In Sellingen along the Ruiten Aa, there is a striking nature viewing hill. On top of the hill is a movable sculpture. Look through the curtains of this small theatre and have a view of Groningen's greatest work of art: nature. From the hill, you have a magical view of the Westerwold landscape. Nature, by the way, is not the only thing you can view here. In fact, the steps of the hill feature poems written by well-known Dutchmen. A beautiful combination of culture and nature.
