O van Overijssel – prinvice of Overrijssel - 2010
For the province of Overijssel, SLeM developed in the summer of 2010 a project called ‘O van Overijssel’. In three weeks time, a Red Globe of four meters in diameter was pushed forward as accurate as possible along the largest circle within the borders of Overijssel. The circle had a length of approximately hundred and thirty kilometers and a diameter of forty kilometers.
With this evocative event, the largest circle within the province of Overijssel became experiencable. Following this route has investigated the social order in relation to the spatial planning. What motivates the people of Overijssel and what determines the difference in culture by region?
The realization of the O of Overijssel brought impressive images and wonderful stories in which participants were both actor and spectator. The event adheres to the collective memory as ‘the longest village festival’.
The hundred and thirty kilometer long walk with the Red Globe was the motive for introducing a cycle route on the existing roads and tracks, following the circle as close as possible.
The climax of the project was at Sunday, September the 5th, when a large number of people were cycling the bike trail with red balloons. The cycle trail was an animated line of festivities by and for inhabitants.
The landowners received native trees to plant at the circle line in the meadow, as a permanent relict in the landscape.
All activities are documented on video that reveals a remarkable portrait of the province of Overijssel. This documentary includes the walk with the Red Globe along the circle, interviews with the landowners, the bike ride event and the plantation of trees at the circle line.
The project was organized by SLeM and is established in close coorporation with associations, companies and municipalities within the province of Overijssel. Bruno Doedens was initiator and project developer.