On May 26, 2011, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands attended the opening of the ArtZuid: The International Sculpture Route Exhibit in Amsterdam.

The event showcases many of the great artists from around the world and their works along trail in the city, “The route is a five minute walk from the Museumplain.”  According to the official website for the event, ArtZuid.nl:

In co-operation with Amsterdam Institutions, include the Stedelijk Museum and the State Academy of Fine Arts, the leading writer and artist Jan Cremer compromise present Cashis’ SCULPTURAL – AROUND THE WORLD. Once again, the stately avenues of Berlage’s Plan Zuid and the parks designed in the 1990s by landscape architect Michael van Gessel Will Be the fifty unique setting for sculptures by Internationally renowned artists. The indication, sculptures Will Be Against a backdrop of the exceptionalism of the Amsterdam School architecture. The route is being extended to include the South Axis.

To view photos please click the links here and here.  To watch a video please click the link here. 

Sources: ArtZuid.nl and Nufoto

Photo courtesy of: Koninklijkhuis.nl

On May 24, 2011, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands visited the Dutch province Flevoland this afternoon; moreover, she had a chance to visit the Center of Nature in Oostvaarders.

According to PPE, the Queen visited the, “…the farmschool of the agricultural university of Dronten and the recreation park Brennels Outside.”  

Yeah, I’m confused; nevertheless, judging from the photos it looks like the queen had a great time.  To view the images from today please click here.  To learn more about the nature center preserve please click the link here.  To watch a video please click here.

Source: PPE Photo courtesy of:  Koninklijkhuis.nl

This afternoon in Den Helder, Netherlands, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix officially opened the residential Duinpark (Dune Park).

According to the site, Kuiper.nl, the purpose of the Duinpark is a place were neighbors could meet, have fun, and do neighborly stuff together.  Here is some more information about the park:

The design and layout of Duinpark (DunePark) is that of a public, undulating, dune landscape with residential and recreational space. The terrain has been given remarkable differences in height and therefore diverse perspectives and views. To maintain this quality, the choice was made for an open, built-up structure spreading the residences out over the dune landscape. The use of roofs covered in vegetation extends the dune landscape even further over the homes themselves.

The private and the collective domain have grown as one unit. To realise this unity, private spaces and transitional elements, like garden walls and entrances, and colour choices for the façades, fully reflect the surrounding, dune landscape. Gabions form a natural transition from private terraces and anchor the residences in the sand of the dunes.

Existing trees have been preserved as far as possible and fitted into the new dune landscape. Based on the used soil types and varying micro-climatological characteristics of the undulating landscape, Duinpark is subdivided into five, different, landscape-based atmospheres reflecting the inland-dune landscape around Den Helder: the dune creek, dune shore, dunes, dune valley and the dune courtyard. (Kuiper.nl)

To view photos of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix at the opening of the Duinpark please click the link here.  

Source: Kuiper.nl and PPE  Photo courtesy of: Koninklijkhuis.nl