Looy Driesser

Department: Man and Public space

Ice Sluice

Standing eight metres high, this tower is a monument for the so-called Dutch skating fever, sending out a wishful weather forecast. The installation operates an automatic sluice in the dyke. When the temperature drops below zero, the hydraulic liquid inside the operating system shrinks, bringing the gears into motion. There is no electricity involved; by force of nature the sluice door opens and allows water to flow from the main stream into the polder, where it freezes up into a perfect skating rink. Will it be cold enough this winter to get the cogs turning and make us put on our skates?