Pelikan 140

About this artwork.

The title speaks for itself. The statue represents a three-metre-high fountain pen placed on a seven-metre-high pole. The fountain pen rotates and therefore also functions as a wind vane.
 
Carolien Feldbrugge made Pelikan 140 for the Kleihornschool in Beijum. In her design, the artist was looking for an element of recognition for the children in the neighbourhood. With its height of ten metres, the sculpture rises above its surroundings and therefore acts as a beacon. Not only for the children, but also for the adults. In addition, the pen refers to the activities taking place in the building.

About the assignment.

The artwork was realised at the time as part of the percentage regulation for school buildings. Since 1971, the municipality of Groningen has had an arrangement whereby, in the case of new schools, a percentage of the bare building costs is spent on visual art. In this way, art has been installed at several schools during the construction of the Beijum district.  
 
Since 1995, this percentage regulation has been replaced by the 'Voorziening Kunst op Straat' (provision for art on the street). This means that the municipality of Groningen makes an annual budget available for the realisation of art commissions. Every year, the Centre for Visual Arts (CBK) and Department of Environmental/Economic Affairs make proposals to the municipal council on how the funds should be spent.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  Caroline Feldbrugge

• District
  Beijum

• Year of creation
  1984

• Art type
  Freestanding sculpture

• Material
  Wood, Polyester, Iron, Enamelled steel

• Dimensions
  h 10,00 m