Look closely. Before you stands the Poort en vis. This bronze sculpture isn’t just a pretty sight. It tells a story. A story of a leaping fish a symbolic gateway. A story of planning mishaps and unexpected relocation.
Created in 1990 by Han van Wetering the Poort en vis was initially intended for the Waterlandlaan. Its purpose was grand. To represent the connection between Purmerend’s city offices. The artist drew inspiration from the Waterland region. Three shells adorn the gate. Atop sits a small boat. The sculptor himself explained its meaning “When the polder floods the boat remains afloat”.
The sculpture’s journey wasn’t smooth. Initial placement caused problems. The soft Waterland soil proved challenging. The budget was exceeded by ten thousand guilders. The foundation needed extensive work. Hidden cables and pipes further complicated the installation. The Noordhollandse Courant even reported on the delays.
Imagine the original location. The fish would spring from the ground. It would symbolically leap across an intersection. This was its intended connection to the other office. But Purmerend’s city offices moved in 1994. The Poort en vis lost its original meaning. It was eventually relocated to the Beatrixplein in 2005.
This wasn’t just a move. It was a change of narrative. The symbolic leap of the fish across an intersection now takes on a different significance. It now reflects the unexpected changes in the city’s landscape. It speaks of adaptation and resilience. A story of a work of art finding its place. And here it stands. A testament to both initial ambition and eventual adaptation. The Poort en vis. A story of bronze a fish and a gateway. A testament to unexpected challenges. And a visual reminder of the city’s evolution.