Our story

Sense of Place, founded by Joop Mulder (1953-2021), is a cultural development organization that gives new vitality to the region along the Wadden coast by enhancing the unique qualities of this area with the help of visual art and design projects. Together with residents and the landscape, we tell the story of the North through these projects. The history of the area and residents, the landscape and the future.

Sense of Place visualizes the unique values of nature, landscape and cultural history of the special UNESCO World Heritage Wadden area to a wider audience. This will give the region an economic and social impulse at the same time. Sense of Place sometimes initiate projects but more often it supports initiatives from the local communities. The projects respect the culture and nature of the area and tell the story of the location and the landscape. They thus give the place extra appeal and meaning: a Sense of Place.

Artists, landscape architects, researchers, residents, users, social organisations, entrepreneurs, nature conservation organizations and governments are brought into contact with each other to jointly shape cultural landscape development in an innovative way.

5 effects of progress through stillness

Valuation

Awareness

Connectedness

Sustainability

Livability

Sense of Place

De Streken

De Streken is a wooden tidal object by visual artist Marc van Vliet and can be reached via a 150-metre-long footbridge. This installation on the mudflats, moves with the tides through the forces of the moon. The tide provides a different experience at every moment of the day. During low tide, the installation is a […]

Read more
Sense of Place

Gemalen Verhalen

In the landscape of Friesland there are hundreds, if not thousands of waterworks. Pumping stations, locks, overflows and so on. All to guide the surface water and the groundwater level in the right direction. Works of art in themselves, which are invisible to many people because of their apparent obviousness. Sense of Place, in collaboration […]

Read more
Sense of Place

Golf van Termunterzijl

“​A wide view broadens the mind” As a Landmark, the Golf van Termunterzijl does not tell its own story, but lets the landscape and its inhabitants tell their story. Visitors discover and experience the area from different perspectives while walking through the Kleine Polder and over the ‘Golf’. The connection between the land and the […]

Read more
Sense of Place

Watdataangaat

The Frisian Wadden coast is one art piece richer. In memory of Joop Mulder, the work Watdataaangaat has been placed on the Sedyk near Koehool. The work of art, which functions as a bench, was designed by visual artist Marc van Vliet and financed by close friends of Joop. The title ‘Watdataaangaa’t is referring to […]

Read more
Sense of Place

Bildtstars en Eigenheimers

In 2018 the photo project ‘Bildtstars and Eigenheimers’ kicked off with ten giant portraits of local potato farmers along the Wadden Sea coast of Northeast Friesland. You will find the portraits – by photographer Linette Raven –  on farm roofs, walls and barns in the middle of the landscape for at least five years.  Installed […]

Read more
Sense of Place

Broken Jug

A masterpiece by a world-famous artist. Frank Stella’s remarkable and gigantic work of art ‘Broken Jug’ can be found along the Frisian Wadden coast. On the Harlingerstraatweg in Harlingen, the famous work stands at the head of the long-term parking lots. The impressive shapes of Broken Jug cannot be missed. “With the placement of the […]

Read more
Sense of Place

Dobbepaarden

This new walking route will take you along a site known for a memorable episode in Friesland province’s recent history. When a huge storm surge pushed seawater into the earth outside the dikes of the village of Marrum on the night of October 31, 2006, 150 horses ended up stranded on a ‘dobbe’ (a type […]

Read more
Sense of Place

Terp fan de Takomst

Terp fan de Takomst can be translated as “Mound of the future”. Mounds (terpen) are an important feature of the Frisian landscape. Their long and rich history in the area appeals to the imagination, while they also raise questions when it comes to archeological details and serve as an inspiration for art, culture, and future […]

Read more
Sense of Place

Wachten op hoog water

‘Wachten op hoog water’ (Waiting for high water) is a statue by Jan Ketelaar. The statue consists of two metal welded 5 meter high women. One big woman, the other one slender, looking out over the sea. You can position yourself in-between these women, and take their hand. The statue represents the search for balance and exchange. […]

Read more

Stay informed