Waving Reed (Wuivend Riet – 4 parts)

About this artwork.

René de Boer used an existing well – which was initially to be demolished – as a starting point for his artwork. He transformed the well into a square pond with a movable reed on each side. The four reeds are made of welded brass. The outside of the stems is smooth and round, while the inside has irregular, organic shapes. The unpredictable transition from the round, tight outside to the organic inside suggests a tearing of the stems. The stems are balanced between two points on Corten steel supports and sway with the wind.
 
A number of Van De Boer sculptures can be found in the city of Groningen. Initially the artist worked mainly with welded brass (see for example Mijlpaal). He learned how to weld brass from Edu Waskowsky, who applied this technique to the production of the Jewish Monument (Joods Monument). Nowadays, De Boer mainly works with Corten steel, a rather difficult material with a rough and earthy appearance. He often makes large monumental sized objects inspired by shapes from nature.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  René de Boer

• District
  Oosterparkwijk

• Year of creation
  1977

• Art type
  Freestanding sculpture

• Material
  Messing, Cortenstaal

• Dimensions
  h 2,75 - 3,55 m