INSTALLATION OF PUBLIC ART AS A LANDMARK IN THE CITY

“The SeaSaw for Den Helder is a memorable, undulating public art piece, which reacts to its setting and history, while actually expressing the dynamics of the sea in its limitless movement,” says Jacob van Rijs, co-founder, MVRDV. In addition to being the seat of the most important naval facility in the country, the city of Den Helder is also a popular tourist destination due to its many beaches and its exceptional position at the most northern point of Holland. Not only does the design of this public art project ‘SeaSaw’ by MVRDV, which was the winning entry in an international competition held by Zeestad, an independent organization in partnership with the municipality of Den Helder, mark the connection between sea and city, but it also “demonstrates the energetic spirit of the city as an infinite form,” as stated by the jury. The design is a response to the fact that there is currently no distinguishable symbol for Den Helder. As a result of the outstanding flood defense system that this town has, sea vistas are obscured by a dike that extends from the dunes to the harbor. Through the construction of a viewing platform on the dike and directly beside the water, SeaSaw establishes a new link between the land and the water. It is via this method that a connection is established between Den Helder and the coastline. This new installation marks the beginning of the process of revitalization and rediscovery of the dike and its surroundings by providing a new landmark that is in line with the character of Den Helder, which is one that is tenacious and full of vitality. Along with the design of SeaSaw, a scenic walking, cycling, and hiking route that spans the dike for a distance of five kilometers has been introduced. This route is intended to better connect the dike to both the city and the sea, and visitors are able to walk in either direction within this public art installation. This weaving route, which activates the beachfront, enables residents and tourists to climb the dike and see at the opposite side of the dike. For the purpose of providing a vantage point that looks out over the city and the ocean, SeaSaw has been included into the intersection of these routes in the shape of an unending loop. Jacob van Rijs, co-founder of MVRDV, comes to the conclusion that the project shows respect for the existing dike while also providing tourists and residents with the opportunity to see both the city and the sea from a completely different vantage point. MVRDV will collaborate with engineers from IMD, and the completion date is scheduled for 2019. Look at the pictures that are available on indiaartndesign.com .