This permanent artwork was commissioned in the context of the large-scale transformation of the campus of the Erasmus University and developed in a stimulating multi-disciplinary discourse on transhistorical curating and the inclusion of cultural heritage in contemporary artworks. Der Stein des Weisen consists of two elements: a monumental sculpture shaped like a thought or speech bubble that reflects its surroundings and the historical pedestal that carried Hendrick de Keyser’s statue of Erasmus for centuries. After the original pedestal was replaced in 1964, it fell into oblivion and was left to disintegrate for fifty years until Schlegel revived the former carrier of the oldest public statue of the Netherlands, brought it back into the public sphere, to be preserved as a relic of a vivid history, within a modern constellation. This witness of the changing perspectives on Erasmus over the past centuries is now the core of a new work of art that raises questions about the historical reception and actuality of Erasmus’s ideas, as well as the iconography of his image as a symbol of the city and the university. The remaining footprint of the statue invites the beholder to follow in Erasmus’ footsteps, contemplate the philosopher’s thoughts and re-examine his legacy. The title of the work literally refers to the pedestal that carried the famous Erasmus statue for nearly 300 years, i.e. the stone of the wise scholar, and it refers to lapis philosophorum – the ‘stone of the philosophers.’ Lapis philosophorum is the legendary alchemical substance capable of transforming base metals into noble metals. Traditionally, the quest for this impossible element symbolizes the humandesire for material wealth, as well as knowledge and enlightenment.
The contemporary artwork consists of the historic pedestal that carried Hendrick de Keyser’s statue of Erasmus for centuries. The pedestal is accompanied by a monumental stainless-steel sculpture that resembles a thought or speech bubble. The highly polished surface of the bubble reflects the spectator and the surroundings. The ensemble invites the beholder to follow in Erasmus’ footsteps, contemplate the philosopher’s thoughts and re-examine his legacy. It is complemented by a publication conceptualised by the artist, which documents the process of realisation including different experts, and a video work. Both were presented when the ensemble first revealed.
The pedestal is one of the two oldest pedestals in the Netherlands and once served as the base for Erasmus from 1622. After about 300 years, the statue and the pedestal were separated. The pedestal then stood in the schoolyard of the Gymnasium Erasmianum for years and was nearly forgotten, but now is reactivated within the new artwork. Making the forlorn pedestal a part of a new artwork is a contemporary reflection on the turbulent history of the base as well as on the changing perspectives on Erasmus’ thoughts that the base holds within itself.
The monumental sculpture that serves as a landmark for the pedestal, refers in its form to the environmental artwork of Hans Petri from 1969, called ‘The Eggs of Petri’ by the campus inhabitants. Petri created the round shapes at the time as a contrast and a silent protest against the rectilinear, angular geometry of the modern buildings. On the other hand, the monumental speech/thought cloud blends with the campus environment through the reflective material.
The artwork was commissioned by the Erasmus University Rotterdam and was made possible by the generous support from the Mondriaan Fund (Grants for Commissioning Contemporary Art) and the expert advice from the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed).
[download press statement here]
[download RCE "conditierapport en advies sokkel"(Dutch) here]
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Der Stein des Weisen