Since 1986, this concrete sculpture by artist Lucien den Arend has been near the Marconiplein metro station. They are three gray plates that are offset with respect to each other and painted white at a later stage. The geometric work is a homage to the architect Jacobus Oud and the artist Theo van Doesburg, who were both connected to De Stijl and involved in housing projects in the nearby Spangen neighborhood. Homage to Oud and Van Doesburg has been realized in the percentage scheme for the construction of the metro station. Part of the money that was available for a work of art at Delfshaven station was used for Marconiplein station, which is an important traffic junction. Fourteen artists signed up for the assignment for a spatial artwork. The Marconiplein is richly equipped with light towers, traffic signs and overhead lines for trams. Nevertheless, the artwork is clearly visible due to its placement and scale in relation to the station halls and the streets leading to the square. Initially the intention was to carry out the sculpture in stainless steel, but it turned out to be too expensive. The plates each weigh 28.000 kg. The sloping surfaces contrast with the horizontals and verticals in the wide perimeter.
Artist Lucien Armand Marco den Arend (Dordrecht, 1943) followed courses at the art academy in Rotterdam, Tilburg and Long Beach, California. He is said to be the first secretary of the Dutch Circle of Sculptors and has been active abroad as well as in the Netherlands. Especially in California, where he receives a prize and an honorable mention, and in Finland where he emigrated in 2003 to set up a sculpture park. He has done many assignments in the Netherlands in the field of detached objects (geometric abstractions), environmental art and land art. The Rijksbureau Kunsthistorische Documentatie calls him: architect, sculptor, glass artist, environmental artist, draftsman, painter, watercolorist, etcher, enamel, designer and ceramist.
Three white plates placed at corner points, balancing each other
Materials
Concrete (later painted white)
Dimensions
Per plate: 750 x 750 x 20 cm
Year
1986
Client
Municipality of Rotterdam
Recruitment
Project architect ir. C. Veerling
Money source
Percentage regulation, concerned assignment for construction of metro station
Owner
RET
About the artwork
Since 1986, this concrete sculpture by artist Lucien den Arend has been near the Marconiplein metro station. They are three gray plates that are offset with respect to each other and painted white at a later stage. The geometric work is a homage to the architect Jacobus Oud and the artist Theo van Doesburg, who were both connected to De Stijl and involved in housing projects in the nearby Spangen neighborhood. Homage to Oud and Van Doesburg has been realized in the percentage scheme for the construction of the metro station. Part of the money that was available for a work of art at Delfshaven station was used for Marconiplein station, which is an important traffic junction. Fourteen artists signed up for the assignment for a spatial artwork. The Marconiplein is richly equipped with light towers, traffic signs and overhead lines for trams. Nevertheless, the artwork is clearly visible due to its placement and scale in relation to the station halls and the streets leading to the square. Initially the intention was to carry out the sculpture in stainless steel, but it turned out to be too expensive. The plates each weigh 28.000 kg. The sloping surfaces contrast with the horizontals and verticals in the wide perimeter.
Artist Lucien Armand Marco den Arend (Dordrecht, 1943) followed courses at the art academy in Rotterdam, Tilburg and Long Beach, California. He is said to be the first secretary of the Dutch Circle of Sculptors and has been active abroad as well as in the Netherlands. Especially in California, where he receives a prize and an honorable mention, and in Finland where he emigrated in 2003 to set up a sculpture park. He has done many assignments in the Netherlands in the field of detached objects (geometric abstractions), environmental art and land art. The Rijksbureau Kunsthistorische Documentatie calls him: architect, sculptor, glass artist, environmental artist, draftsman, painter, watercolorist, etcher, enamel, designer and ceramist.
