Gazing up at De Wachter, have you ever imagined it as a giant, metallic child? This impressive sculpture, created by Boris Tellegen, stands guard outside the Kindercampus school in Amsterdam’s Zuidas district. De Wachter, meaning “The Watcher,” isn’t just a static piece of art. It interacts with its surroundings. The chrome steel plates reflect the sky, changing color with the weather. On a gray day, it might appear somber. But on a sunny day, it can shimmer with a bright, cerulean blue. Before settling in its current location in 2016, De Wachter leaned against the Kindercampus building. Tellegen described it as a schoolboy waiting for the doors to open. This literally embodied the idea of “watching” and “waiting.” Tellegen, also known as the graffiti artist Delta, drew inspiration from the towering buildings of Zuidas and children’s toys like Lego and robots. He combined these influences to encourage children to see their environment in a new light. The imposing skyscrapers surrounding them might appear friendlier, perhaps even playful, through the lens of De Wachter’s robotic form. It’s a blend of art and architecture, inviting viewers to imagine a world where even the most imposing structures possess a childlike wonder.
De Wachter Sculpture
Discover cities like never before.
Enjoy over self-guided city exploration with our app ‘Explory’. Learn all about the history and discover hidden more than 500.000 hidden gems, that only locals know about. Build custom tours, find nearby places, and start exploring instantly.
More Places in Amsterdam
RK Begraafplaats Overtuin
Tranquility surrounds you. You stand before RK Begraafplaats Buitenveldert. This isn’t just any cemetery. It’s a place steeped in history.
Boterhuisbrug
Slipping through time, let’s journey back to a small fishing village nestled beside the Amstel River. Imagine Amsterdam in the
Landgoed Duin en Kruidberg
How did a modest hunting lodge become a five-star hotel? Welcome to Landgoed Duin en Kruidberg a place where history
Spoorbrug HIJSM
Slipping through time, let’s find ourselves in 1837 Amsterdam. Excitement crackled in the air. The Hollandsche IJzeren Spoorweg-Maatschappij (HIJSM), the
de Bibliotheek Hillegom
Have you ever felt the quiet hum of turning pages? Right here before you stands de Bibliotheek Hillegom. This unassuming
Cornelis Ritterbrug
How many stories could this humpbacked bridge tell? The Cornelis Ritterbrug stands before us a testament to Amsterdam’s intricate network