With 'Art at the Meuse', Z33 and RLKM are bringing art to the Limburg Meuse Valley. Five artworks will appear in Dilsen-Stokkem, Kinrooi, Lanaken, Maaseik and Maasmechelen. read more
Koen Vanmechelen
Future Fossil
Dilsen-Stokkem
51.044460, 5.755147
This monumental sculpture depicts the ongoing dialogue between people, the river and nature — an ode to the landscape of RivierPark Maasvallei.
A fossil from the future
Future Fossil stands overlooking the Meuse between Kempenstraat and the cycle path embankment towards Elerweerd. The artwork is rooted in old sandbags, once piled up to withstand the river’s force. Now they are half-buried by earth and roots, a silent witness to alternating floods and human settlement. From these ruins rises a charred willow, a species that has traditionally belonged to this landscape around Dilsen-Stokkem.
The trunk bears traces of the beaver – the engineer of the Meuse – which gnaws, builds and, at the same time, struggles to find space in a landscape regulated by humans. Humans and beavers mirror one another: both seek to tame the water, set boundaries and shape their habitats. The tree is crowned by an egg, a symbol of hope and new beginnings. Thus, humans, animals and the river intertwine to form a single narrative.
“Future Fossil invites us to do more than just look: it invites us to experience, to remember and to think ahead. Perhaps one day this will be found as a fossil from the future – a testament to how we are today seeking ways to live alongside the river that both sustains and challenges us.”
— Koen Vanmechelen
Dialogue
The work emerged from a dialogue with a working group of local residents. They expressed a need for a work of art that depicts the relationship between people and the Meuse, as well as the tension between human needs and nature. The artist visited the site several times and based the final design on the landscape and the residents’ input.
People and nature in the Meuse Valley
The Meuse Valley has been inhabited for centuries, despite the risk of flooding. This testifies to a strong connection with the river. At the same time, the Meuse Valley is an area where nature reclaims its own space. ‘Future Fossil’ reflects on this interplay and the dynamics between residents and the surrounding ecosystem. The Meuse acts as a lifeline that gives, takes and connects. The artwork brings this story of balance and coexistence to life and invites reflection on the relationship between people and the river — a theme that is highly topical in Dilsen-Stokkem.
Location and context
The artwork is situated at Meerheuvel, near the junction of Kempenstraat and the winter dyke. The location overlooks a wetland nature reserve with a large bird population. The site is owned by De Watergroep. The Meerheuvel lake serves as a strategic reserve area and forms part of the climate-resilient water supply system. The fact that Future Fossil is situated at this specific location emphasises the need to manage water resources carefully. The lake is a key component of the water supply of the future.
About Koen Vanmechelen
The Belgian artist Koen Vanmechelen (b. 1965) carries out numerous international projects from his studio in Genk. In his work, he explores the boundaries between art, science, philosophy and community.
Vanmechelen was awarded an honorary doctorate by Hasselt University in 2010 and received the Golden Nica Hybrid Art Award (Linz) and the Global Artist’s Award (Venice) in 2013. His work has been exhibited worldwide, including at the Uffizi Gallery (Florence), the V&A Museum (London), ZKM (Karlsruhe) and the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana (Cuba). He has also taken part in the Venice, Moscow, Dakar, Havana and Poznań Biennales, the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, the Guangzhou Triennial, Manifesta 9 and dOCUMENTA (13). He has also spoken at the World Economic Forum (2008) and various TED conferences.
Visitor information
The artwork is situated north of cycle junction 46, along the Long-Distance Walk in the Maasvallei River Park, and a stone’s throw from the red and blue walking routes in the Stokkem walking area (starting point: De Wissen Visitor Centre). During the season, Dutch visitors can take the Rotem–Grevenbicht ferry.
Met dank aan de werkgroep met inwoners van Dilsen-Stokkem, De Watergroep, NV Bichterweerd, Steengoed, Tripan, De Vlaamse Waterweg nv en Stad Dilsen-Stokkem.