Gust Romijn Bird flying out (1960)

Since 1960, a large abstract bronze statue has stood on a concrete plinth in front of the entrance to the Montessori Lyceum Rotterdam. The artwork was made by artist Gust Romijn on behalf of the architects Van den Broek and Bakema, the famous Rotterdam architects who designed this lyceum and are known as the architects of the post-war reconstruction. In this sculpture Romijn works for the first time with the more traditional material bronze. On a column of two meters high, the image stands out dynamically against the rectilinear architecture. Viewed from all sides, the shape always produces a different image, but retains its open character. At the unveiling on December 8, 1960, architect Jaap Bakema said: “One can see something of a bird in it, but also of a budding flower. If you walk underneath it and look up, it is a pair of bronze glasses to the firmament. A fascinating game of changing cuts and metamorphoses“. The artwork was given the title Bird flying out, which fits nicely with a school and educating students. After more than sixty years, the statue was temporarily removed from its permanent place in the autumn of 2022, because it had to be completely restored. The bronze bird was due for a facelift and the concrete column has been completely replaced. On Friday, November 4, 2022, the Bird flying out placed back at the entrance of the school.