Germaine Kruip pays tribute to a vanished ferry with a sound sculpture in Maasmechelen
Maasmechelen will soon welcome a remarkable artwork: 'Reflection' by Dutch artist Germaine Kruip. This monumental sound sculpture serves as a poetic tribute to the historic ferries that once crossed the Meuse. Following 'Tree of Life' by Mark Dion in Herbricht and the upcoming installation by Laure Prouvost in Kinrooi, 'Reflection' is the next addition to the Art on the Meuse initiative.
Tribute to a vanished ferry
The Meuse has always been a river of connection. Until the 1950s, a small ferry connected Meeswijk to Urmond, creating a vital link between the two shores. The residents of the Meuse Valley share a common history, traditions, and dialect. It is precisely at the site of the former ferry that Kruip’s sculpture serves as a tribute to this shared history.
From the very start of the project, a local working group from Maasmechelen was closely involved. They aimed to create a work of art that would enhance the landscape without dominating it. Together with Z33 and the Regional Landscape Kempen & Maasland, they explored the character of the location, its history, and the desire to realize a work that is subtle, poetic, and meaningful. Germaine Kruip was unanimously chosen to bring this vision to life.
An immersive sound sculpture
'Reflection' is not only a sculpture; it is also a musical instrument. Visitors can strike the instrument with a specially designed mallet, producing a deep, meditative sound. The gong recalls the bell of the old ferry, which could still be heard at this location until the 1950s. The tone evokes a longing for connection – with the opposite bank, the landscape, and the present moment.
The sculpture consists of a five-meter-long vertical brass bar, custom-tuned by renowned instrument maker Thein Brass in Bremen. The bar is suspended between two slender, ten-meter-high poles spaced 32 meters apart, designed to visually blend into the landscape. Two black granite benches invite visitors to sit and take in the view of the water.
"With 'Reflection', I want to create a moment where people not only hear the history but also experience the silence that now prevails. It is a work that encourages calm, but also connection – just like the ferry once did" , Kruip explains.
A new place of contemplation in Maasmechelen
Corrie Bemelmans, alderwoman for culture, emphasizes the importance of this new artwork:
"With 'Reflection', Maasmechelen not only gains a work of art but also a new place to reflect. The work is a silent force on our riverbank and invites us to rediscover our landscape – with fresh eyes and ears."
A growing series of artworks along the Meuse
'Reflection' is the latest work in the Art on the Meuse project, an ambitious art initiative that merges art and landscape in the River Park Maasvallei.
The journey began with 'Tree of Life' by Mark Dion, which has been on display in Herbricht (Lanaken) since the summer of 2022. Upcoming installations include 'Moeder! Oui dream till the end' by Laure Prouvost on the Bastion in Kessenich (Kinrooi) and 'Echoes of a Landscape' by Adrien Tirtiaux on the Klauwenhofweg in Maaseik.
Adinda Van Geystelen, director of Z33 – House for Contemporary Art, Design & Architecture – is closely following the development of the new artwork:
"Each work undergoes an intensive process – from the initial inspiration to the final installation on site. For Maasmechelen, we aim to present Germaine Kruip’s work in August. We hope to complete the installation by Laure Prouvost before the summer."
About Germaine Kruip
Germaine Kruip lives and works between Brussels, Amsterdam, and London. Her work has been exhibited at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam (NL), the Biennale of Sydney (AU), Art Basel (CH), Frieze London (UK), Manchester International Festival (UK), the Biennale of Puerto Rico (PR), the São Paulo Museum of Art (BR), the Hiroshima Museum of Contemporary Art (JP), the Rotterdamse Schouwburg (NL), the Kaaitheater in Brussels (BE), and the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center in Troy, New York (US).
Practical Information
The artwork is located between cycling nodes 50 and 56, along the dike by the Meuse, approximately one kilometer from the car ferry. The orange (10 km) and blue (5 km) walking loops in the Leut hiking area also pass by this location.
About Art on the Meuse
Art on the Meuse is an initiative of Z33, House for Contemporary Art, Design & Architecture (Hasselt) and Regionaal Landschap Kempen & Maasland.
The project is supported by Flanders, in particular by Tourism Flanders and the Cultural Infrastructure Fund (FoCI), and the five Flemish Meuse municipalities (Kinrooi, Maaseik, Dilsen-Stokkem, Maasmechelen and Lanaken). The project is being carried out in cooperation with numerous actors who are active in the Meuse valley.
