Watchman and Guard - Tourist Information Centre (VVV) Ameland

Watchman and Guard

In the dunes of Hollum, along the path called "De Klonjes", you will find a work of art! This artwork is entitled 'Watchman and Guard' ("Waker en Wachter") and was developed by Astrid Nobel on behalf of the Foundation Amelander Museums.  Village Interest Group "Dorpsbelang Hollum" is charged with managing the artwork.

The work of art

At the edge of the dunes, alongside the bicycle path, two bronze binoculars on pedestals stand next to each other, facing the two towers of Hollum: the lighthouse and the church tower. Both towers are historic beacons for ships.

One pair of binoculars has a lens made from a prism of lighthouse glass. This viewer shows a dreamy, rainbow-coloured image of the body of the lighthouse, which changes with the amount of sunlight. This prism is part of the optics of the lighthouse in Hollum that was demolished during World War II.

The other pair of binoculars enlarges a detail in the steeple; the two upper windows are directly opposite each other, as a result of which you can see straight through it. 

The artwork emphasizes that the lighthouse as "watchman" and the churchtower as "guard" refer to night and day, history and future. As longterm witnesses of changes to the area they will jointly function as renewed beacons.

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