Amsterdam
and the
public sculpture of Lucien den Arend
Amsterdam has been applying the open application procedure since the seventies. This means
that Building projects are publicized in BK informatie,
a magazine made available to artists. The artist can send
documentation to the advisory committee who commissions a small number of
the applicants to make a paid proposal. The most interesting one is chosen and
this artist gets to make a final proposal which is put before the committee
which advises the city council to give the green light. During
the eighties Lucien den Arend applied for a number of projects and the result
can be seen on these pages.
Since the end of the nineties however the Amsterdam's Fonds
voor de Kunst, which became independent in 1995. has a small number of advisors
who base their selection on their personal knowledge of the art scene. They were
given the freedom to make their own choices often make contact with
internationally successful artists. Smaller projects are available for the local
artists to compete for. During the closing years of the second millennium Lucien
den Arend was a member of the advisory committee which preceded the select group
of advisors. His pleas for the more democratic selection system were to no
avail. The choices had been made.
to
view click the pictures

Brenda - 1988 bronze and concrete -
3000x3000x1900cm - Police Station Waddenweg - Amsterdam NL

Primum Movens Ultimum Moriens
- a memorial for Professor D. Durrer - 1985-86 stainless steel - 850x450x400cm
- Minervaplein - Amsterdam NL

perpendicular cylinders -
1982-85 stainless steel - 500x500x50cm - entrance of the Flierbosdreef fire station -
Amsterdam-Bijlmer NL
|