Maasbeeld

Maasbeeld, created by Auke de Vries, is an enormous artwork standing at a height of 182 meters. It can be found by the Maas River, next to the Willemsbrug Bridge in Rotterdam.

The City’s Department of Public Works approached De Vries to contribute his artistic vision to the city. They sought his advice on the color of the Willemsbrug and the possibility of creating an accompanying artwork. Initially, De Vries did not participate in the public competition to create an artwork for the bridge. However, after being given a year to contemplate the idea, he submitted a proposal.

The artwork consists of wire and other steel objects, including a sphere, a ring, a square, and a spiral. It is securely anchored between the Willemsbrug and the pillar of the former railway bridge.

The objects within the artwork sway and move like clothes on a clothesline, responding to the wind and waves. When the river water level is high, the sphere partly submerges. Maasbeeld harmoniously blends with the river, the bridge, and the quay wall.

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