Energetically (Voortvarend)
Ton de Vreede
About this artwork.
Ton de Vreede made the sculpture as a commission for the Municipality of Groningen, especially for the green space on the Abel Tasmanplein.
With a sail at the top, the sculpture refers to sea heroes of the past and explorers whom the streets in the Zeeheldenbuurt are named after. In addition to these illustrious people, De Vreede was also inspired by the former Bottje-Ensing shipyard, which was located on the site of the student flats on Van Heemskerkstraat until around 1965. When thinking about these things, the artist associated them with “ships, water, wind and sails, of being on the way to sea battles and in search of unknown, faraway lands”.
Atop the steel base stands a sail, the frame of which is also made out of steel. The inside of the sail is filled with many horizontal layers of glass. The edges of the glass are polished which gives them a matte appearance. However, when it rains, the glass becomes shiny and clear. Sun and rain interact with the sculpture differently each time. Starting at the sail, an arabesque meanders around the foot of the statue, as if wandering around the earth.
Location.
Abel Tasmanplein (groenstrook)
Facts & Figures.
-
Design
Ton de Vreede -
Year of creation
1995 -
Art type
Freestanding sculpture, Glass artwork -
Material
Glass, Structural steel -
Dimensions
h 2,90 x b 0,53 x d 0,85 m