Imagine steel giants embracing fruit trees. Les Grandes Formes is not just a sculpture. It is a statement.
Les Grandes Formes is a unique piece of land art. It sits alongside the A10 ring road near the Gooise Knoop junction. This is where the Gooiseweg connects. You will find it in Amsterdam’s Watergraafsmeer district bordering Diemen.
Jacques Vieille, a French artist, created Les Grandes Formes in 1995. The artwork covers 2000 m². It blends 15 steel electricity pylons with apple, pear, and grape vines. The fruit trees grow as espaliers along fences.
These pylons form a transparent framework. It evokes a Gothic cathedral. Locals call it ‘the cathedral’ because of this resemblance. The mast shapes also remind us of espaliered trees. There is also a nod to the old Ajax stadium’s floodlights called De Meer.
Les Grandes Formes mirrors Watergraafsmeer’s history. In the 17th and 18th centuries, wealthy Amsterdam residents had estates here. These estates featured pleasure gardens and vegetable plots. Espaliered trees were very popular back then. The artist reconstructs the area’s history. This reconstruction is a recurring theme in his work.
Jacques Vieille aims to reveal a space’s identity. Watergraafsmeer boasts a rich history of gardening. Wealthy Amsterdammers once had estates here. These included kitchen gardens, orchards, ponds, and sculptures. They trained fruit trees along frames. This showed both beauty and business sense. These trees produced more fruit this way.
Students from Florens College help maintain Les Grandes Formes. Vieille pictured it as a public garden. Passersby and locals could enjoy it. The traffic noise prevents long stays. He hoped people would read the fruit tree names or pick an apple.
Les Grandes Formes combines nature and culture. It links modern industry with historical horticulture. The towering pylons contrast with the delicate fruit trees. The location makes this contrast even stronger. Heavy traffic rushes past this green haven.
Notice the lines and shapes. The steel contrasts with the organic forms. The artist invites reflection on Amsterdam’s past. He also provokes thought about its present and future. Les Grandes Formes offers more than beauty. It provides a space for contemplation. It bridges history and modernity. It links nature and industry. Les Grandes Formes is a testament to Amsterdam’s ever evolving identity.