After the Flood

The concept After the Flood is an art project developed within the broader framework of Sense of Place — a landscape art initiative along the Wadden Sea coast, originating from Oerol and connected to Leeuwarden-Fryslân 2018, European Capital of Culture. The project aims to make the unique Wadden landscape more tangible and to contribute to the local economy of this shrinking region.

After the Flood refers to the historic St. Lucia’s Flood of 1287 and evokes the threat of a dike breach — a very real part of Dutch history and identity. The artwork takes the form of a landscape intervention, where water flows over a dike and ends in an artificial pond, resembling a naturally formed breach. The movement of the water is irregular, creating the impression of an approaching disaster, followed by a serene, contemplative oasis around the pond. Visitors can experience the work via walking and cycling paths, with places to pause and reflect along the route.

The project was developed by Mothership in collaboration with garden and landscape architect Arend Jan van der Horst. The landscape design surrounding the pond combines art and nature in a composition inspired by classical garden architecture and contemporary naturalistic landscape design. In doing so, art is firmly rooted in its surroundings, creating a physical, emotional, and cultural experience of the relationship between people and nature — between threat and beauty.