I never thought there would be so much to tell you about this ball of… rubble.

When the German army constructed the Atlantik Wall in 1943, the impact was monumental. Fifty thousand trees were cut, more than 30,000 homes were evacuated, and thousands were torn down. This area, the Puinduinen, was raised from the debris of demolished neighbourhoods in The Hague during World War II.

You can find this interesting piece of outdoor art in the recreational area of the Puinduinen. Literally, Rubble Dunes. And this piece of art also consists of that rubble; Puinbal (Rubble ball). Made by local artist Donald Duk (Rijswijk) in 1976, the artwork is an example of how his art always considers the location’s history and expresses his concern for nature.

It might not be everyone’s idea of a beautiful sculpture, but the dunes and the ball are amazing examples of recycling. During the lockdown, it also became a popular unofficial place for bouldering.