Muskusrat

In 2004, an eye-catching visitor appeared along the old dike near Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel: a 31-meter-long muskrat, constructed from straw and wood.

The muskrat, typically regarded as a harmful invasive species that undermines dikes, was here transformed into a friendly, almost huggable creature. Reclining leisurely atop the dike, the sculpture presented a surprising blend of playfulness and underlying urgency — an icon of the tension between humanity, nature, and infrastructure.

Mothership was responsible for the execution, project management, and curatorship. Through the use of ephemeral materials and a site-specific approach, De Muskusrat became more than just an artwork — it was a temporary landmark in the landscape, one that, like its subject, quietly disappeared but left a lasting impression. A public favorite that fits perfectly within Hofman’s oeuvre of oversized animals with a message.