Elephants of Almere

Five massive bronze elephants, each measuring 11 meters in length and 7 meters in height, stand along the A6 motorway in Almere.

The installation commenced in December 1999, facing initial setbacks including fire damage to two sculptures and storm destruction of the working tent.

Dutch artist Tom Claassen designed these simplified elephant forms without typical details like tusks, creating a connection between art and public space.

The sculptures received an anti-graffiti coating to protect their surfaces, though they have experienced various instances of unauthorized painting and decoration.

These elephants weigh 40,000 kilograms each and stand in a polder landscape, where reclaimed land creates a contrast between natural forms and geometric agriculture.

Location: Almere

Inception: 2000

Creator: Tom Claassen

Part of: Sleutelwerken

GPS coordinates: 52.38083,5.29944

Latest update: March 4, 2025 14:48