Mander Circles, Nature area and land art installation in Manderheide, Netherlands
Mander Circles are two large circular fields designed as both artwork and nature site, spanning 33 hectares of Dutch countryside. The formations feature distinct artistic interventions including a spiral labyrinth pattern and a mound with plantings.
The site was commissioned in the 1930s by textile manufacturer Gerhard Jannink after he observed similar agricultural patterns during travels in North America. Artist Paul de Kort later added creative interventions that transformed the original circular fields into a contemporary artwork.
The design by Paul de Kort blends prehistoric landscape elements with contemporary art practices. One circle contains a spiral labyrinth pattern while the other features a central mound dotted with juniper bushes, creating distinct experiential spaces.
A two-kilometer walking path built in 2005 guides visitors around and across the circular fields for complete exploration. The path is easy to follow and offers changing perspectives on the artwork and the surrounding landscape.
The circular formations serve as navigation markers for pilots near the Dutch-German border, earning them the local nickname Beha van Jannink. This unexpected purpose reveals how artistic landscape design can fulfill practical functions in aviation.
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