Reconstructed artwork from Kie Ellens
title: Plok Doing - location: Groningen
Reconstructing Abstract Public Art in Holland
2000
In this series we explored an uneasiness felt when confronted which abstract public art, both as faits accomplis in public space and as a specialism within our own profession. In a sense, we are simultaneously insiders and outsiders when it comes to the appreciation of such art works. We know something of the procedures and the politics surrounding art work commissioned by public bodies. On the other hand we can fully understand the sometimes hostile reactions of the general public when confronted with the commissioned pieces.
Perhaps the larger than life objects of Claes Oldenburg & Coosje van Bruggen have infected our perspective on abstract art works with an urge to visualize miniature versions of large abstract pieces. Such miniature versions often existed in the form of scale models presented by the artists to the commissioners. As an experiment we tried to reconstruct this step in the production process of existing abstract public art works. From a publication on Dutch public art we chose twenty five art works to be reconstrued. We analyzed the shape and composition of these works and recreated them on a model scale using commonly available materials. It was surprising to find how easy it was to create models which actually looked very similar to the existing art works.
Reconstructed artwork from Jan van Munster
title: Energy line - location: Almere-Stad
We also imagined the different situations in which the ideas for the design could have been conceived by the artists. We imagined our colleagues sitting in bars, absentmindedly crumbling the left over wine bottle corks while pondering what to make for their next commission with only a few days left before the proposal deadline. Suddenly, the mental process would be disturbed and they would look down at the work of their unconscious hands. In a sudden flash of inspiration it dawned on them: arrange cork crumbles in circular form and execute in huge circle of a ragged stones!We imagined our colleagues at a loss for new work in their studios, twiddling around with what was left over from the last project and yesterdays dinner, to come up with a brilliant plan involving the execution of lined up dry crackers in solid and durable materials like steel or concrete. We imagined our colleagues enjoying a depressing game of stacking up their remaining cash into a neat large pillar, only to be overwhelmed by the formal beauty of this work when blown up five times and done in stainless steel. Needless to say, this part of our little experiment was a lot of fun. Working on this project also revealed the playfulness which must have been a part of the creative process of the artists involved, and we know of colleagues who confess that this stage is the most pleasurable one of their business.
Reconstructed artwork from unknown artist
title: - - - location: Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterloo
While building the scale models the desire arose to know more about post war public art in Holland, strewn around our country in large quantities. We also hoped to gain more insight into the decision making processes surrounding the commissioning of these art work. We laid down our results in a text accompanying the exhibition, called "Why public art in Holland must be reconstructed". This text is available in Dutch on request. Unfortunately, an English version is currently not available.
Reconstructed artwork from André Volten
title: - - - location: Den Haag
Reconstructed artwork from Carel Visser
title: The Gate - location: Groningen
Reconstructed artwork from R.W. van de Wint
title: (part of De Nollen) location: Den Helder
Reconstructed artwork from Hans Petri
title: - - - (Petri's eggs) - location: Rotterdam
Reconstructed artwork from Herman Makkink
title: - - - location: Waddinxveen
Reconstructed artwork from Carel Visser
title: The salami - location: Delft
Reconstructed artwork from Ad Dekkers
title: cirkel in ontwikkeling naar vierkant - location: Utrecht
Reconstructed artwork from Ulrich Rückriem
title: gedenkteken turfsteken - location: Weiteveen
Reconstructed artwork from Richard Long
title: planet circle - location: Tilburg
Reconstructed artwork from Berend Bodenkamp & Jan van IJzendoorn
title: - - - location: Academisch Ziekenhuis Utrecht
Reconstructed artwork from Harmen Abma
title: - - - location: Leeuwarden
Reconstructed artwork from André Volten
title: monument for Winkler Prins - location: Amsterdam
Reconstructed artwork from Marc Ruygrok
title: - - - location: Eindhoven
Reconstructed artwork from Arjanne van der Spek
title: - - - location: Bergen op Zoom
Reconstructed artwork from Richard Serra
title:- - - location: Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
Reconstructed artwork from unknown artist
title:- - - location: Amsterdam Medisch Centrum
Reconstructed artwork from Marius Boender
title: Observatorium - location: Bergen op Zoom
Reconstructed artwork from Constant
title: - - - location: Amsterdam
Reconstructed artwork from Alfred Eikelenboom
title: The Wall - location: Amsterdam
Reconstructed artwork from Sjoerd Buisman
title: Phyllotaxis - location: Gouda
Reconstructed artwork from George Rickey
title: Two Turning Vertical Rectangles - location: Rotterdam
Reconstructed artwork from Mathieu Nab
title: - - - location: Broek in Waterland