Marinus Boezem: De Groene Kathedraal

In the geometric polder landscape of Flevoland stands a "gothic" cathedral. No sky-high stone vaults, metres-high stained-glass windows with divine scenes or echoing choir aisles, but a cathedral formed by a group of Italian poplars. Artist Marinus Boezem developed the idea for this Gothic Growth Project in 1978. In 1987, at the invitation of the engineers of the Rijksdienst IJsselmeerpolders (RIJP), he planted 178 poplars (Populus Nigra Italica) according to the plan of the Notre-Dame of Reims.

Between the trees are concrete paths reflecting the ribs of the cross vaults. The shell circles around the trees refer to the sea that was there about half a century ago. Boezem sees the Gothic cathedral as the pinnacle of human ability, just like the creation of Flevoland's polders on the bottom of the former Zuiderzee.