At Bomvrij Noord, a ‘Findling’ created by Maas from found objects, or waste, is installed. It is a creature of approximately four meters tall. This Findling represents humanity and stands upright, looking towards Bomvrij Zuid. At Bomvrij Zuid stands a creature created by Wes, formed from willow branches and stones. This one speaks for the non-human and is therefore passive.

The two creatures stand opposite each other. Just like man and nature at this moment. Divided by the straight road that crosses through them, like a boundary.

The Waterline Creatures stem from the dynamic between nature and human action. They are examples of how contemporary art can offer reflection and add new stories to a historical site. With these artworks and the contrast in materials, we want to hold up a mirror to the visitor and make them reflect on their surroundings.

We are Maas van Duijnhoven and Wes Kalverkamp, two artists from Culemborg and best friends since childhood. Maas graduated from the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in 2024, and Wes graduated from the Utrecht University of the Arts (HKU) in 2026.

Our childhood in Culemborg was filled with adventures along the Lek River and explorations of the unknown in and around the city. Through play, we discovered the importance of trees and water. As we grew older and found our way as artists, our love for play did not stop. Thus, the feeling we both get in Culemborg has not yet escaped us, despite having moved to bigger cities.

After all those years of playing together and discovering the world, it is logical that we are now each addressing the same question in our own way. How do we reconnect people with their natural environment and with each other? Our project takes place at Fort Werk aan het Spoel, part of the New Dutch Waterline, in Culemborg. On this site, you can see two large hills on both sides of the dike: the Bomb-Free (built in 1876). These hills originally served as shelter against bombs and inundation water for soldiers and ammunition, and were invisible from the air due to the vegetation. We use these hills, Bomb-Free North and South, as a kind of altar, on which we both place a sculpture.

The title WaterlineWezens refers to the history of the site and the current ‘battle’ regarding the origins of the creatures. That being human and nature.