Artwork: Rondosotho, 1988

Marble, 30  x 600 x 100 cm 

Original description:
At first glance, the reflection in the lying plates stands out in this minimalist artwork made of shiny black marble. You can see the clouds drifting by in the blue sky, and the wind plays in the undergrowth of the surrounding trees. Then, the light curve of the surface and the rhythm of the four marble columns immediately catch the eye. The columns are placed in notches in the lying plates. At the end of the work, an unfilled notch enhances the feeling that this piece could continue indefinitely, with even more columns and more marble slabs. The unpolished edges and the slight bend of the whole also contribute to this impression.

The artist manages to connect heaven and earth in this simple image: the shiny ‘floor’ emphasises the infinite, the intangible, while the columns represent a strong connection to the earthly.

The work was originally located in the park on Kloosterlaan. It was placed there as part of the completion of the urban renewal project in the neighbourhood.

Michel Somers (Hoensbroek, 1949 – ’s-Hertogenbosch 2018) was a Dutch sculptor and environmental artist. Somers studied at the Royal Academy of Art and Design in ’s-Hertogenbosch. In 1975, he won the Lucas Prize from the city of Den Bosch. From 1976 onwards, Somers created various works in public spaces, mostly commissioned by municipalities and companies. He also taught for many years at the academy in ’s-Hertogenbosch and the Technical University in Eindhoven, and worked as an advisor in visual arts for the Rijksbouwmeester.

The photos were taken by Jeroen van Eijndhoven.