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Cockerel (Haan)

Maker onbekend

About this artwork.

In front of a series of houses of the former Gruno housing association stands a cockerel of unglazed terracotta on a masonry pedestal. The statue was presented by the members in 1939 on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Gruno housing association. An inscription in rhyme reads: “Lots of sun and light and air and space for the family brings zest for life and courage into the new home”. Apparently, at the time, the housing of the less well-off in society was clearly inadequate. That was the reason why the housing associations were founded: the living conditions of the working class in particular had to improve. The Gruno housing association was founded in 1910 on the initiative of railwaymen.
 
The cockerel in the Van Ostadestraat probably symbolises two things. In the first place, the image probably stands for “the awakening”, or the creation of a new association that also heralds the beginning of better public housing. In addition, the cockerel undoubtedly expresses a triumphant feeling about everyone's right to a fully-fledged home; the terracotta cockerel pumps his chest out and seems to be proud of the houses behind him.

Location.

Adriaan van Ostadestraat (tussen nrs. 163 en 165)

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Facts & Figures.