Water

Kidney Pools

Waterpark het Lankheet is part of the estate het Lankheet (Rekken, Netherlands). In 1999, part of the historical flood meadow system on Lankheet was restored. Together with Wageningen University, a plan was devised in 2004 to let in water from the Buurserbeek, through a large expanse of reed beds with research on the purification benefits. 

Jim Buchanan was commissioned to create an artwork expressing this theme. Reflecting that water in the landscape is like blood in the body, two large kidney shaped pools were created, with a raised decorative ‘kidney stone’ walk through the centre. The surrounding earthworks provide raised seating places for personal reflection, picnics or small gatherings.

Additional information: https://hetlankheet.nl/waterpark/

In all my projects involving water, you the walker (or swimmer) are invited to physically engage with it – either through touch, walking, or in the case of the swimming pool labyrinth projections, then to swim the pathways. The key is the ritualistic act of washing oneself as part of the experience, maybe touching with the hand, stepping into with barefoot, or fully immersing oneself. This adds a significant layer of trust, trust by the walker that I have created a safe environment. In return I ask for a raised level of commitment, to shed one’s clothes and immerse oneself in the swimming pool water for example.