Art, kitsch and commerce – sand sculptures in Garderen

For over 25 years, international artists have created a new themed exhibition each year using sand and other materials at Garderen, a sand sculpture park renowned throughout the Netherlands. The exhibition has a different theme every year – this year it is entitled "The Roman Empire." Over 200 sculptures, some life-size, are displayed in a beautifully landscaped garden or in covered halls. The figures are astonishingly detailed and depict architecture, reliefs, portraits, and complex scenes from that era.

Since Garderen is only about 20 kilometers from Otterlo, we'll cycle there and back. So, cycling through the Veluwe is on today's agenda again.

The sand sculpture exhibition itself left us with mixed feelings: Where is the line between art, kitsch, and commerce? The sheer number of objects on display in a relatively limited space demands considerable stamina. On the other hand, some of the sand sculptures impress with their powerful expression and skillful execution. It's just a shame that practically nothing is available about the artists. The sand sculpture festival in Søndervig made a much greater impression on us back then...