Out of Focus

Status

Temporary

Category

In restoration

Since

01-06-2023

Explanation

Anyone looking up at the four tower blocks on Lozer Avenue in late May, early June 2023 may just miss a monumental, blue-red circle, star, square or triangle. This is because at that time renovation work will begin on these four abstract murals that were painted on the flats' end facades in 1963. Housing association Haag Wonen will be installing new facade insulation. Because the signs can be seen from afar, they have great orientation value in Escamp's urban plan. They belong to this district and Lozerlaan. That is why contractor HEKO, commissioned by the housing association, will ensure that the paintings will soon return to their original place and in the same size and color scheme.
The triangle on flats no. 201-459 will be the first to disappear behind the scaffolding cloth. From July 10, the square (flats no. 659-917) will be temporarily hidden from view, followed by the circle (flats no. 1117-1375) in mid-September. Finally, at the beginning of October work started on the flat with the star. (flats no. 1575-1833). By the end of 2023, all the vignettes on Lozer Avenue will be visible again in their full glory.

Artwork Data

Title

Abstracte tekens

Artist

Onbekende maker

Year

Ca.1978

Material

Muurschildering

Artwork Location

Address

Lozerlaan, Den Haag

City district

Escamp

GPS data

52.034699467648, 4.2538712233398 View on map

To be found on route

Cycling route Reconstruction Art Escamp

Artwork Description

Text

You can see them from far and near: the circle, the square, the triangle and the star shape that are on the end walls of the four tower blocks on Lozerlaan. Since the late 1970s, these red and blue abstract signs have served as an orientation point for many a road user and neighbourhood resident.

It was the famous architect and urban planner Willem Dudok who conceived that The Hague would expand in the Escamppolder. His 1949 Structure Plan shows that he saw Lozerlaan as the boundary of the city expansions. He drew a wide road so that there would be enough space for all the traffic that the new city districts would bring. Lozerlaan still has the function of a traffic artery. And along that road, he placed four high residential towers.

Who painted the murals on the flats, who designed them (was it an artist, a designer, an architect perhaps?) and who commissioned them (a housing association?) is a bit of a mystery. Old photographs show that they were not there when they were first used in 1971. Also in 1975 and 1976 there are no signs on the facades. The paintings are only visible in photos taken in 1979.

The fact that the abstract murals have survived various renovations suggests that they are inextricably linked with Escamp. Just like much other 'nail-biting' art with which this district was embellished during the reconstruction period.

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