Marinus Boezem: The Green Cathedral

In the geometric polder landscape of Flevoland stands a "Gothic" cathedral. No towering stone vaults, no massive stained-glass windows depicting divine scenes, nor echoing choir aisles, but a cathedral formed by a group of Italian poplars. In 1978, artist Marinus Boezem developed the idea for this *Gothic Growth Project*. In 1987, at the invitation of the engineers from the Rijksdienst IJsselmeerpolders (RIJP), he planted 178 poplars (Populus Nigra Italica) following the floor plan of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Reims.

Concrete paths between the trees reflect the ribs of the vaulted ceilings. The circles of shells surrounding the trees reference the sea that existed there about half a century ago. Boezem views the Gothic cathedral as a pinnacle of human achievement, much like the creation of the Flevoland polders on the floor of the former Zuiderzee.