The Flame (De Vlam)

About this artwork.

The artist designed this large rising shape of brass for the Victory Square in Groningen, commissioned by the municipality of Groningen. The exhibition “Image and Route” in 1967 featured The Flame on the Grote Markt. Waskowsky wanted to enlarge the design to a six-metre-high sculpture. But because the artist and his commissioner were in fierce discussion about the cost of materials and the exact location of the sculpture, a definitive commission was not forthcoming. Instead, the municipality of Groningen bought the design and placed it with the Coendersborg.

The Flame is more or less a sequel to a series of fragile brass statues that Edu Waskowsky made in the period 1964-1965. These sculptures, ranging in height from 60 to 100 centimetres, balance like living metal creatures on one leg. Points and a kind of wings or flames protrude from a compressed form. 
 
Waskowsky's method of welding brass scluptures allowed him to build sculptures in space from scratch. He composed abstract figures with brass plate and copper wire, in which the original form repeatedly crystallized into new forms.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  Eduard Waskowsky

• District
  Helpman

• Year of creation
  1967

• Art type
  Freestanding sculpture

• Material
  Messing, Welding bronze

• Dimensions
  h 2,45 m