A green zone, a steelworks and the very high Paasduin. This makes up the setting for an impressive exhibition of sculptures at the edge of the village of Wijk aan Zee. Just as impressive is the story behind it. This dune area, called Rolandsduin, once provided room for campers. With the Blast furnaces (Hoogovens) (now Corus) in the background this resulted in some very surrealistic images. Here you could see the sharpest contrast possible

between heavy industry and tourism. Nothing to be proud of. The camping site disappeared and the area became a green zone. Until Wijk aan Zee became Cultural village of Europe in 1999. This seemed a wonderful opportunity to soften that contrast between village and steel industry. Eleven sculptors, coming from eleven European countries, received the assignment to transform this zone into a park of sculptures. Of course, sculptures made of steel. Material and working space were provided by Corus. The artists were accommodated for a month with host families in the village and had themselves inspired by the theme ‘A sea of steel’. The result is an intriguing exhibition on an intriguing location.

Click here for a photobook of A Sea of Steel