Some people link Astrid Park with its green hills to the setting of the Teletubbies. Others see no particular meaning in it. However, the fact remains that all the landscape elements in this park have their own symbolism: the water refers to vitality, the fountain wall to birth, the path to the serpent that embodies both good and evil, the amphitheater to democracy, and the long wall to the end of life.
All landscape elements in this park have their own symbolism
This park is a composed landscape of cozy paths, water, grass, hills, and trees. Landscape architect Paul Deroose pays homage to life. All parts have their own symbolism: the water refers to vitality, the fountain wall symbolizes birth, the path represents a serpent embodying both good and evil. The amphitheater stands for democracy, and the long wall represents the end of life.
Human Rights
The artwork "Human Rights" by Margot Homan is a group of sculptures consisting of a large bronze statue and 5 glass portraits. The bronze statue depicts two people, one caring for the other. The sculpture evokes feelings of compassion. The man in need of help does not take a submissive stance that arouses pity. He retains his dignity. The Tilburg artist Margot Homan consciously chose to depict equal figures.
This equality has everything to do with the text placed under the glass panels: ALL HUMAN BEINGS ARE BORN FREE AND EQUAL IN DIGNITY AND RIGHTS. This sentence begins Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Surrounding the bronze group of sculptures are glass portraits of human rights activists.
The chosen portraits are of Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Eleanor Roosevelt, Lily Boeykens, and Françoise Tulkens. The men have grown into personalities through their speeches, statements, and actions. The women have mainly contributed to human rights in the background.
