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Timbertown Folly

Peter de Kan, Lilian Zielstra

About this artwork.

There is a wooden house in the residential area of ​​Engels Park, which was built there by artist Peter de Kan. Timbertown Folly, as it's called, gives the area's rich history a place in the neighborhood.

The starting point for this work was the poem 'Linie' by former city poet Lilian Zielstra. Zielstra's poem evokes the special historical stratification that is hidden behind the new residential area in South Groningen. She refers to three striking aspects: the Helperlinie, the 'English Camp' where British troops were received during the First World War and the high office towers of Information Management Group (now DUO) and the Tax Authorities. The four high towers, the last of which was built in 1981, dominated the skyline of Groningen for a long time. The latter was demolished in 2011 for the purpose of the new residential area.

The name of the wooden house, Timbertown Folly, refers to a popular cabaret group that originated in the English Kamp and that performed throughout the Netherlands. Folly means foolish and is also the English term for a 'useless' architectural element (think: man-made ruin or cave), such as can often be found in English landscape-style parks. The folly contains the poem and memories of the Helper Line and the office flats that stood here. Eventually, the cottage will overgrow with honeysuckle. De Kan thus tries to bridge the divide between architecture and nature. Visitors are welcome to walk into the cottage, take a seat and rest or wait.

About the assignment.

After the construction of the new residential area of Engels Park, the municipality of Groningen wanted to give the special history of the location a place in the public space by means of a work of art. Artist Peter de Kan was commissioned to develop a work based on the poem 'Linie' by former city poet Lilian Zielstra.

Part of route.

Location.

Engelse Park (tegenover nr 43, aan het water)

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Facts & Figures.

  • Design
    Peter de Kan
    Lilian Zielstra

  • District
    Helpman

  • Year of creation
    2022

  • Art type
    Art and architecture

  • Material
    Wood

  • Dimensions
    h 2,40 x b 0,80 x d 0,80 m

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