11fountains Bolsward

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11fountains Bolsward

Bats are intriguing, useful animals that are crucial in the ecological system with their hunting of insects. In Asian culture, the bat symbolises wealth, happiness and blessed old age. With us, it symbolises both dark powers and a positive, saving force. Think of Batman, or the facades of great cathedrals where, in the form of gargoyles, it keeps demons at bay. This fits beautifully with the burnt down Broerekerk church. The stairs on the back invite the visitor to symbolically overcome the bat. And... to transcend himself.

This fountain is part of the 11fountains: eleven fountains in the eleven Frisian cities, designed by eleven artists from eleven different countries. 11fountains is an international art project for Leeuwarden-Fryslân 2018, Cultural Capital of Europe, conceived and curated by Anna Tilroe.