The sunbathing star (1996) Tom Waakop Reijers

In September 2000, the Association of residents of Provenierssingel indicated in its vision that the Spoor- en Provenierssingel should have the appearance of an Kunst & Cultuursingel. They wanted more connection with the Westersingel in the center, where the sculpture terrace was realized in 2001. Until that time there were two statues on these canals, namely the fountain The three fish by Gérard Héman and this artwork - The sunbathing star by Tom Waakop Reijers. This statue was a residents' initiative to improve the neighborhood and thus a gift from the residents to the former Noord borough. It was unveiled to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Provenierssingel. The following poem by Joop van den Bos can be found on the artist's website:

THE SUNBATHER

Now here the white glitter dawns everywhere
the growing blunder,
conjures up the waiting bather
this hectic violence,
for all that bothers
to clean in resting pleasure.

Here on this single lawn
it spreads its fertility.

Then a place for hunters
so peaceful among the thickets,
with the geese and ducks
in rocking boom.
And a singing blackbird on the roadside,
to fall in love with one
dreamy couple.

And she then who is squatting in her
bathe in the sun,
in the gentle surrender
of a dear conception.

This Wakeup image so essential
human spun and on the right
place, for those who have this oasis,
this sanctuary, oh how wonderful
so lovingly maintained

This gentle girth that is itself
knows how to save in spite of it,
to be future, to survive,
as if carried by a natural mystery.

Well let's call this a sign
the most wonderful thing that happened in this city.

It is our psyche that is bathed here now
in the sun on water, it is our psyche!
Our deeply hidden self-desire,
as our youth still in paradise.