A Glimpse into the Past

Els Haasen created this artwork in 2026 as a memorial to a village that never came to be. It is a work that resonates deeply – both emotionally and in terms of recognition – whilst being literally interwoven with this place. It is accessible and relatable to every passer-by, from the casual walker to a former villager. It explores the boundary between abstraction and figuration.

The structure consists of two Corten steel plates positioned at a 90° angle to one another. Corten steel was deliberately chosen for its natural, warm appearance, which looks weathered – old, yet powerful. It fits perfectly into the surroundings and is both indestructible and durable. This construction not only offers strength and resistance to vandalism, but also symbolises the dual narrative of this place.

One side depicts the lost dream: Willemsveen, the village that never came to be. This is illustrated with words that evoke this sentiment. The other side refers more to the residents, the farming families, the hard work and the arduous existence in this marshy area. 
Incorporated into this is the school’s characteristic typographic nameplate, with the letters ‘Kardinaal Mindszentyschool’ precisely traced as a tangible element of remembrance.

An information board tells the story of Willemsveen, thus paying tribute to what might have been.

The angle at which the two panels are positioned creates a shared view towards the spot where the school once stood, a visual reminder of the past. The entire structure is partially sunk into the ground, a typical feature of a marsh. The free-form ‘tear-shaped’ design, a landscape-like, open form, emphasises on the one hand the break with the past – the abandoned plan – whilst on the other hand forming a natural part of the landscape. The plan was also to install two ‘kom’ signs. The Willemsveen ‘kom’ never acquired official status, and so it was decided to create the ‘kom’ signs in the same style as the monument. Here, too, the ‘tear-shaped’ form emphasises the natural, landscape-like shape.