The Rise and Fall of Nature

About this artwork.

In 1993, The Rise and Fall of Nature was part of the sculpture exhibition 'Stadsparadijs' in the Noorderplantsoen. This park was built in the 19th century in the English landscape style. A careful arrangement of the landscape elements – winding paths, ponds, alternating closed and open spaces and imitations of historic buildings – idealises nature and culture in a romantic way.

The Rise and Fall of Nature is a small, floating building that is a zinc replica of an ancient temple. Apart from the fact that the sculpture fits in with the romantic style in which the Noorderplantsoen was designed, the work serves as a metaphor for the world, which is increasingly determined and shaped by mankind. Bas Lugthart: “Nature is being cultivated more and more and even ‘natural’ nature is being staged within the English landscape park. The floating temple makes that staging visible and transforms the park into a theatre landscape in which the trees, plants and ducks perform their eternal play: the rise and fall of nature.”

In winter, The Rise and Fall of Nature is kept in storage by Stadsbeheer due to the danger of freezing. 
 
Since 1990 Bas Lugthart has also worked with Maree Blok as an artist duo. In this capacity they create many monumental works in public spaces. The central theme is man in relation to his environment.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  Bas Lugthart

• District
  De Wijert

• Year of creation
  1993

• Art type
  Design, Freestanding sculpture

• Material
  Zinc, Copper

• Dimensions
  h 0,90 x b 1,10 m