Boats continue to break Gerda Kruimer’s artwork on the Lijnbaansgracht in Amsterdam, marking the fourth time in just two months that the installation has been damaged. The artwork, which encloses one of the temporary bridges of the orange carpet, is situated too low, causing boats to collide with it. Gerda expresses her frustration, stating, “You have to go with an express train to destroy this, I would never do that myself.”
Gerda suspects that television personality Martijn Krabbé may have been responsible for the latest damage. Large orange panels on the side of the bridge form the work of art, and it was during Krabbé’s visit last week that he reportedly hit it with his flagstick.
The bridge’s low height has resulted in three broken and bent panels due to boat collisions. Although the signs indicate that the bridge is 1.30 meters high, Gerda points out that the panels protrude, making this side lower than the other. This discrepancy leads to errors in judgment by boat operators, resulting in multiple collisions since April 16.
Gerda explains that her inspiration for the artwork comes from the Jordaan, where street names often reference flowers. Additionally, the design draws from construction deposits in southern European countries, which are known for their vibrant colors.
The artwork was commissioned by the municipality and created by Gerda. She expresses disappointment in the poor maintenance of the piece, stating, “I think it’s a shame that such a work of art, which is intended to be very beautiful and cheerful, is so poorly maintained.” Despite reporting the damage four times, little action has been taken by the municipality. Gerda, who passes by the artwork daily, feels a personal connection to it, referring to it as her “spiritual property” and believes it should be fully intact.
The bridge is part of the Oranje Loper project, which aims to replace and reinforce bridges in the city center. The municipality explains that the auxiliary bridges are sometimes lower than the normal bridges to ensure accessibility for all. In this case, the bridge is the lowest at 1.40 meters, with signs indicating a height of 1.30 meters. Unfortunately, boats have repeatedly crashed into it. The municipality has received the report and plans to repair the bridge soon.
Gerda suggests that the municipality should handle the property better. She proposes indicating an even lower vertical clearance and attaching rubber edges under the artwork to minimize damage in case of estimation errors by boat operators.
As the issue persists, Gerda’s artwork remains vulnerable to further damage, and the municipality must take swift action to address the ongoing problem.
How can boat operators be better educated and reminded about the height restrictions of the bridge to prevent further damage to the artwork?
The height of the bridge is limited for boats passing through, some vessels still fail to heed the warnings and end up damaging the artwork. The orange panels that make up the installation have been repeatedly broken and bent as a result.
Gerda Kruimer, the artist behind the installation, voices her frustration over the continuous damage caused to her artwork. She expresses disbelief that someone would deliberately try to destroy it, stating, “You have to go with an express train to destroy this, I would never do that myself.”
Speculation has arisen that television personality Martijn Krabbé may be responsible for the most recent damage. It is reported that during his visit last week, he accidentally hit the artwork with his flagstick. This incident has further intensified Gerda’s frustration.
While the bridge is clearly marked with signs indicating its limited height for boats, it appears that some individuals are still not taking the necessary precautions. This has resulted in numerous collisions and subsequent damage to the installation.
Gerda Kruimer’s artwork on the Lijnbaansgracht in Amsterdam continues to bear the brunt of these accidents. The low positioning of the artwork on the temporary bridge leaves it vulnerable to collisions, resulting in three broken and bent panels thus far.
Efforts need to be made to raise awareness among boat operators about the height restrictions and the importance of respecting the artwork. Without such measures, the installation will remain at risk of further damage.
It is critical that both visitors and locals alike understand the significance and value of public artwork and make a conscious effort to protect and appreciate it.
