On the dike!

Exhibition of eighteen expansive polder landscapes

Eighteen students from Han Fortmann (Trinitas College) in Heerhugowaard drew inspiration for their art exam assignment from the vast polder landscape of North Holland. They walked along dikes, roamed through the polder, and took photos. In this way, they went in search of their own 'polder vision'.

High and low

North Holland lies largely below sea level. With a total of 1,558 kilometre and quays, HHNK protects our low-lying country from flooding. These dikes wind through the landscape like high lines. From the crest, they often offer a view to the horizon over the low-lying and sometimes mathematically precise polder land. The characteristic polder mills fit in perfectly. It is no surprise that tourists from abroad are amazed by this unique landscape.

Technology

For this assignment, the students used a special technique called linocut. This involves cutting the image step by step into a piece of cork linoleum. It is a relief printing technique in which only the raised part of the linoleum is rolled with ink and then printed. By cutting away more linoleum after the first print and printing again with a different shade, color plates can be created. 

Collaboration

This is the ninth time that the water board has collaborated with Han Fortmann (Trinitas College) in Heerhugowaard. Each time, the water board sets a water-related exam assignment. The results are part of both a digital and a physical exhibition in our office. A jury from the school and the water board selected a Top 4 from the 18 works. The public then decided on the winner. The winner was the artwork by Vince Sprenkeling.

Thanks to teacher Janna Wolters and the students.