Makan

At the intersection of the natural stream the Potmarge with research agency Wetsus and University Leeuwarden, there is a black egg shelter. This egg shelter is a landmark, a meeting place for young people. While sitting in the beanbag that lays in the egg during summer, you can hang around and view the environment. You can see the historic stream the Potmarge, which ensured the drainage of water from the peat zones southeast of Leeuwarden. Today, Potmarge is a green lung that penetrates deep into the city.

This Esscher-like "egg" is one of the first "test sites" realized by the cooperating owners around the Potmarge. In 2017 they (together with the municipality Leeuwarden and Wetterskip Fryslân) committed themselves to an ambition statement to jointly create a city park experience revolving around the Potmarge and to show the importance of innovation for this place. The cooperating owners have chosen the egg as artwork because it is similar in shape to an underwater drone, a larva, which one can often find underwater and because it has an Esscher look, an artist from Leeuwarden.

The egg is not ready yet. It is intended as an information point with information about three projects: the metamorphosis of the Potmarge, the underwater drone and DNA of the Frisian flag. The dredging and creation of nature-friendly banks in 2000-2003 has been the start of the metamorphosis of this heavily polluted historic river to regain its green character during the time of Marijke Meu, whose pleasure gardens were situated here. Since 2003, factories have disappeared and were replaced with green areas with as many paths along the water as possible

The Egg consists of shuttering plywood slabs that are held together by threads and bolts. The shape 'Egg' gives the landmark something protective and a form to hole up in. The open spaces between the surfaces create an interesting play of light and shade. It attracts attention. The Egg is designed by Makan and put together in cooperation with students of the Nordwin college Leeuwarden/ volunteers and Freek Taute.

The Egg shelter therefore also is a social project, made by young people who came up with very nice innovative solutions to turn 3000 screws into the artwork as quickly and ergonomically as possible. With long drill holders and by working intensively together we were able to assemble the Egg within a week! In April, the concrete slabs, on which the egg rests, will be transformed into an underwater world by a graffiti artist.