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Victory
Zaanstad NL [sculpture was to be given away]

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victory - 1984-87 - painted steel - Zaanstad - The Netherlands

2000 - painted steel - Prins Bernhard roundabout proposal - Zaanstad - The Netherlands

"In April 2000 the town of Zaanstad took my sculpture victory from its location, stored it and gave me five years to do with it what I want. This 144 foot wide steel sculpture will be donated to any city center or authority in the world that would like to give it a new home. All I want is to be paid my costs to coordinate matters.

Why did I consent? Ever since 1984 I've been spending my time convincing the protesting man of the visual value of the sculpture in this place: meetings, radio programs, strong alder(wo)men who stuck with the original decision to place this sculpture and others with promises for alternative commissions. To say the truth, I'm tired and have chosen to give in and accept another challenge: to make an environment in their new housing area Saendelft where Pieter Janszoon Saenredam was born (see my Saenredam Project).

Please Email me lucien@denarend.com I am open to any proposals.

Zaanstad socialist mayor Ruud Vreeman (PvdA) made a promise in his 1999 new years speech (because, since 1987 a man, having gathered signatures, has been protesting against the Victory). The populist, Vreeman vowed to see to it that the work would be removed during his period in office - Ruud Vreeman even went so far as to make his career as mayor dependant on that promise). For the Dutch socialist party (PvdA) art is a defenseless tool to be popular with the public. This is the case especially when politicians, who know nothing about art and culture, decide to use it to promote their position. (an interesting link for those who read Dutch: http://www.nieuwrechts.nl/forum/onderwerp/22/start/1/bekijk/6508.html)

"Ruud Vreeman and his aldermen also promised me a new commission if I would not start legal procedures against Zaanstad). That was in 1999 too. This note was added in April 2004 - and nothing has been heard by me from Ruud Vreeman or his aldermen since." Lucien den Arend

back to free sculptures
four projects demolished

Zaanstad - Lelystad - Terneuzen - The Hague wave - The Hague arch