Zebra in the nests consists of four large aluminum stork nests with a life-size zebra on one nest. The nests have integrated light fittings, which are placed on special poles, so that the work provides atmospheric lighting in the evening on the redesigned square on the Diergaardesingel. Herman Lamers' artwork refers to the time that Diergaarde Blijdorp was located on the center side of the railway. During the Second World War, the zoo's headquarters was located at the head of the Kruiskade and Diergaardesingel. The zebra literally got into nests, referring to the animals that ran free due to the bombing. The story goes that zebras grazed on the Diergaardesingel and a sea lion ended up in the Westersingel. On November 28, 2015 Zebra in the nests disclosed. The artwork was created on the initiative of the Alliantie West-Kruiskade to crown the redesigned square on the Diergaardesingel. Previously, the building on the Kruisplein by the Mecanoo architectural firm was adapted in such a way that it became part of the square. Urban development redesigned it with more greenery and seating areas.
Herman Cornelis Lamers (Bussum, 1954) is a Rotterdam sculptor, installation artist, photographer and draftsman. He studied from 1975 to 1980 at the Minerva Academy in Groningen. He always works in a spatial, sometimes abstract but more often in a figurative visual language, always dependent on and in relation to the environment. His work can be seen in galleries and exhibition spaces and he has various commissions in public space, including a number in Rotterdam.
Four nests on light towers with a zebra in one of the nests
Materials
Steel and aluminum
Dimensions
150 to 200 x 40 cm (nest) / 180 x 45 x 150 cm (zebra)
Year
2015
Client
Alliance West Kruiskade and BKOR
Recruitment
Alliance West Kruiskade
Money source
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Municipality of Rotterdam
Owner
St. BIZ Users West Kruiskade eo
About the artwork
Zebra in the nests consists of four large aluminum stork nests with a life-size zebra on one nest. The nests have integrated light fittings, which are placed on special poles, so that the work provides atmospheric lighting in the evening on the redesigned square on the Diergaardesingel. Herman Lamers' artwork refers to the time that Diergaarde Blijdorp was located on the center side of the railway. During the Second World War, the zoo's headquarters was located at the head of the Kruiskade and Diergaardesingel. The zebra literally got into nests, referring to the animals that ran free due to the bombing. The story goes that zebras grazed on the Diergaardesingel and a sea lion ended up in the Westersingel. On November 28, 2015 Zebra in the nests disclosed. The artwork was created on the initiative of the Alliantie West-Kruiskade to crown the redesigned square on the Diergaardesingel. Previously, the building on the Kruisplein by the Mecanoo architectural firm was adapted in such a way that it became part of the square. Urban development redesigned it with more greenery and seating areas.
Herman Cornelis Lamers (Bussum, 1954) is a Rotterdam sculptor, installation artist, photographer and draftsman. He studied from 1975 to 1980 at the Minerva Academy in Groningen. He always works in a spatial, sometimes abstract but more often in a figurative visual language, always dependent on and in relation to the environment. His work can be seen in galleries and exhibition spaces and he has various commissions in public space, including a number in Rotterdam.
