Verloren stad Sculpture

Emerging from the water and earth, the Verloren Stad Sculpture whispers tales of a forgotten civilization. Right before your eyes, Harald Schole’s 1989 masterpiece captures the essence of a city lost and reclaimed by nature. The Verloren Stad Sculpture was commissioned as a “sinking artwork.” It was meant to straddle the line between water and meadow. The viewpoint along the railway offers a unique perspective from above. This commission stemmed from Aart Wevers’ 1985 Structural Plan for Visual Arts in Westerpark/Overbrakerpolders. Schole, born in Amsterdam in 1953, found inspiration in the contrast between urban and natural environments. He chose this formerly rural section of Westerpark. The artist aimed to emphasize the natural setting, even allowing the reeds to grow freely, though they are regularly pruned. The sculpture’s elements hint at urban structures, but they are not direct copies. The Verloren Stad Sculpture evokes the image of an archaeological dig in an ancient city. It also resembles a partially sunken boat. The artwork also references “Het Schip’s” turret. This can be seen just above the railway embankment from the sculpture’s location. The Verloren Stad Sculpture creates a tension between lost civilization and nature’s reclaiming power. Schole envisioned a piece with a horizontal design. This contrasted with Michiel Schierbeek’s vertical beacon at Westerpark’s entrance. To realize his vision, Schole photographed construction pits, foundations, and a sinking boat surrounded by debris. The final result stands partially on land and partially in the water, mirroring the theme of a city being consumed by the elements.