Foreword
The publication Der Stein des Weisen accompanies the sculpture bearing the same title that was created by Kathrin Schlegel and commissioned by Erasmus University Rotterdam for the Woudestein campus. In 2012 her proposal was selected from a shortlist of three, following which the process of further developing, producing and installing the statue was put into motion. After a number of setbacks and alterations, Der Stein des Weisen has now – six years later – been installed and revealed. In this publication you will find eight texts that address the context and significance of this sculptural ensemble. All authors were in some way or another involved in the process that has led to the realisation of this work: they were consulted for their expertise concerning history or material aspects, Erasmus or transhistoricism. Others were involved in the commissioning of the work, the choice for Schlegel’s proposal or the overseeing of the process. On the following pages you can read their findings, perspectives, insights and interpretations regarding the work Der Stein des Weisen by Kathrin Schlegel.
Anne Clement van Vugt describes how the EUR art collection and policy were shaped over time, and how this led to the reali sation of Der Stein des Weisen. The text on Hans Petri by Vincent van Velsen offers a historical background sketch pertaining to the predecessor of Der Stein des Weisen: the ‘Eggs of Petri’. This iconic work – which Kathrin Schlegel’s ensemble explicitly references through the shape of the thought / speech cloud – was irreparably damaged by weathering and required a replace ment. This need was the starting point of the process – longlist, shortlist, sketch, proposal, design process, production process and ultimately, installation – that eventually led to the completion of this new icon on the Woudestein campus. The cloud, the historic pedestal of the Erasmus statue and the open space between the two, which leaves room for visitors, their inter pretations and their thoughts. This is also in line with the philo sophical legacy of Erasmus, an aspect that Adrie van der Laan addresses in detail in conjunction with the collection of the Rotterdam Library and the famous philosopher’s bond with the city. The ties between the philosopher, the pedestal and its maker, Hendrick de Keyser, are the subject of the piece by Frits Scholten, who o ers a detailed analysis of this trinity Nils van Beek clarifies the context of the project, the pedestal and the future possibilities opened up by Schlegel’s work. Rutger Morelissen examined the material and heritage status of the pedestal for the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed (RCE, Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands). Morelissen states, assesses and answers the questions that have transpired concerning the origin, history and possible preservation of the pedestal. The same applies to Siebe Thissen regarding the origins of the pedestal – in both a linguistic and a physical sense – and its possible use in the future. Ann Demeester elaborates on the transhistorical relations and hierarchies within the ensemble and the sculptural components that together make up the new work. As Schlegel did for the work itself, Demeester brings pedestal and cloud, past and present into unison.
Vincent van Velsen July 2018
[download the publication here]