Rijen welcomes new village square with historic art piece 'De Huid'
Residents of Rijen celebrated the unveiling of a new art piece and the transformation of Wilhelminaplein into a greener, more social space. The sculpture, inspired by the village's tannery history, marks the start of a vibrant village heart for locals to gather and enjoy.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Wilhelminaplein, Rijen, Noord-Brabant |
| Art Piece | 'De Huid' by artist Tom Claassen |
| Material | Light gray natural stone, shaped like a cowhide |
| Unveiled by | Aldermen Marielle Doremalen and Corné Machielsen |
| Attendance | Over 100 residents |
| Next Steps | Planting greenery, adding seating, and restoring the weekly market |
| Historical Reference | Rijen's history of tanneries |
The municipality of Rijen is responsible for local spatial planning and cultural development, ensuring public spaces like Wilhelminaplein reflect community needs and historical heritage. This project highlights their role in fostering social cohesion and preserving local identity through urban design and art.
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Unveiling of art piece at Wilhelminaplein
The Wilhelminaplein in Rijen is getting a new layout. The square is becoming greener, more atmospheric, and inviting for people to meet each other. On Wednesday, March 11, this could be seen for the first time during the unveiling of the art piece: ‘De huid’. The sculpture by artist Tom Claassen refers to Rijen's history of tanneries. More than 100 residents attended the cozy gathering at the part of the square that is already finished.
Aldermen Marielle Doremalen (Art, culture, and heritage) and Corné Machielsen (Spatial planning and living environment) unveiled the art piece together. The light gray natural stone in the shape of a cowhide is not just there to be looked at, but is truly part of the public space on the square. The children present were already climbing, exploring, and playing on it.
The village heart of Rijen takes shape
The works on the Wilhelminaplein are not yet completely finished, but it is already clear to see how it will look. The first terraces are back in place. Alderman Corné Machielsen explained how the design was created together with residents and what else will change. Soon, the greenery will be planted, seating areas will be added to the edges of the planting beds, and the weekly market will return. The Wilhelminaplein will then truly be the cozy village heart that Rijen has been looking forward to for years.