Cycle (Kringloop – 7 elements)

About this artwork.

The sculpture was created for a temporary exhibition, but acquired a permanent place on the large playground in the Stadspark. The artwork consists of seven panels placed in a circle. One lies on the grass, a second emerges from the ground at a sharp angle, a third stands a little more upright and so on, until the seventh rejoins the first lying slab. The slow rise and fall of the objects symbolises the process of life and death. Because of its pronounced earth colour, the sculpture enters into a natural connection with its surroundings, reinforcing the symbolism of growth, blossoming and decay. Cycle at the same time suggests stillness and movement, and invites contact with the “homo ludens”; the person at play. You can climb it, walk over it, jump on it or hide under it. The colossal, monumental sculpture is an instrument to “play”. 
 
There are a number of sculptures by René de Boer in the city of Groningen. Initially, the artist worked mainly with brass, a metal mixture of copper and zinc. Since 1981, he has also been using Corten steel, a rather unruly material that forces the sculptor into a different design than the more flexible brass. Recurring themes in De Boer's work are: nature; birth and death; holding on and letting go; transience.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  René de Boer

• District
  Stadspark

• Year of creation
  1984

• Art type
  Freestanding sculpture

• Material
  Cortenstaal

• Dimensions
  h 6,00 m; diameter 24,50 m