Victory
Zaanstad NL [sculpture was to be given away]
for next click the
pictures
victory - 1984-87 - painted steel
- Zaanstad - The Netherlands
2000 - painted steel - Prins Bernhard
roundabout proposal - Zaanstad - The Netherlands
"In April 2000 the town of Zaanstad took my sculpture victory from its
location, stored it and gave me five
years to do with it what I want. This 144 foot wide
steel sculpture will be donated to any city center or authority in the world
that would like to give it a new home. All I want is to be paid my costs to
coordinate matters.
Why did I consent? Ever since 1984 I've
been spending my time convincing the protesting man of the visual value of the
sculpture in this place: meetings, radio programs, strong alder(wo)men who stuck
with the original decision to place this sculpture and others with promises for
alternative commissions. To say the truth, I'm tired and have chosen to give in
and accept another challenge: to make an environment in their new housing area
Saendelft where Pieter Janszoon Saenredam was born
(see
my Saenredam Project).
Please Email me
lucien@denarend.com
I am open to any proposals.
Zaanstad socialist mayor Ruud Vreeman (PvdA) made a promise
in his 1999 new years speech (because, since 1987 a man, having gathered signatures, has been protesting
against the Victory). The populist, Vreeman vowed to see to it that the work would be removed during his period in office
- Ruud Vreeman even went so far as to make his career as mayor dependant on that
promise). For the Dutch socialist party (PvdA) art is a
defenseless tool to be popular with the public. This is the case especially when
politicians, who know nothing about art and culture, decide to use it to promote
their position. (an interesting link for those who read Dutch:
http://www.nieuwrechts.nl/forum/onderwerp/22/start/1/bekijk/6508.html)
"Ruud
Vreeman and his aldermen also promised me a new commission if I would not start
legal procedures against Zaanstad). That was in 1999 too. This note was added in
April 2004 - and nothing has been heard by me from Ruud Vreeman or his aldermen
since." Lucien den Arend
back to free sculptures
four projects
demolished
Zaanstad -
Lelystad -
Terneuzen
- The Hague wave
- The Hague arch
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