Twenty-year sculpture project

In 1994, 380 years after it was founded, the University of Groningen decided to launch a twenty-year sculpture project. Every year, a new sculpture or other image is commissioned. The project will run until the university celebrates its 400th anniversary in 2014. The artworks should be inspired by the history, famous figures and work of the university. The first artwork was created by Herbert Janse. He designed the Ubbo Emmius monument at the Academieplein. The monument was unveiled on 16 June 1994 during the celebration of the university’s 76th lustrum.

 

The sculptures   

  (Garden Duisenbergbuilding, Nettelbosje 2) 

Doorenweerd uses the phrase ‘Sun College’ to illustrate the ‘humans centre stage’ theme proposed by the Faculty of Economics and Business. The Faculty is drawing on the ideas of Prof. L. Karsten, who stated that a human .... read more.

  (Garden UMCG, A. Deusinglaan-Oostersingel) 

‘Xy’ was created to mark the 395^th anniversary of the founding of the University of Groningen. The X-chromosome and Y-chromosome have come to represent genetic research into the fundamental building blocks of man. The more we know about ..... read more.

 

 (Timpaan Harmoniegebouw, Harmoniecomplex, Oude Kijk in ’t Jatstraat 26)

 

The twelve golden owls in the tympanum of the Harmoniegebouw are a mark of honour to the Greek goddess Pallas Athena. In this imagery she symbolizes the Faculty of Arts. Pallas Athena is attributed with the characteristics understanding, courage, beauty and loyalty. She was ... read more

 

 

  (Entrance to the university museum at Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat 7a) 

  

‘The Catwalk’ was created to mark the 390^th anniversary of the founding of the University of Groningen, and forms an integral part of the newly built university museum. The SKETS architectural studio in Groningen were responsible for the design .... read more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 (Patio, Faculty of Philosophy, Oude Boteringestraat 52) 

 

‘Het Huis’ was the last artwork created by Tiddo Nieboer, who died in 2002. The design was realized by artist Harm van Weerden. The current dimensions and materials of ‘Het Huis’ were determined in consultation with Jacoba van Wijk, the widow of Tiddo Nieboer ... read more  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (Archway to the Harmonie Complex, Oude kijk in 't Jatstraat 26)

 

The art duo Yland/Metz created the ninth artwork in the project.  Created for the Faculty of Law, their images reflect the tense relationship between private and public law ... read more   

 

 

 

 

 

   (In the square at the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1)  

 

The title of the sculpture is the title of a book written in 1933 by the French author Malraux, whose perception was that man only becomes conscious of the nature of existence at the end of his life ... read more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  (In the pool at the front of the Duisenbergbuilding (Zernike Complex), Nettelbosje 2) 

 

The Faculty of Spatial Sciences studies the complex processes of change within human groups, and the ways in which they use their personal, social and geographical space  ... read more  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

   (At the Harmonieplein of the Faculty of Arts, Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat 26)

 

This artwork was presented to the university on Friday 4 June 1999 to launch the celebration of the 385^th anniversary of the university’s founding ... read more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

   (On the Duisenbergbuilding (Faculty of Economics and Business), Nettelbosje 2)  

 

This work by Steenmeijer and Van den Berg was inspired by an economic concept. The work of John M. Keynes contributed to an important insight in economics, namely ... read more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (In the faculty building, Faculty of Theology) 

 

This work by Groenewoud and Buij was inspired by the work of Gerardus van der Leeuw, a professor at the Faculty of Theology from 1918 to 1950 ... read more  

 

 

 

   (in front of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences) 

 

Ovink’s design was inspired by the work of the 17^th-century mathematician Johann Bernoulli . From 1695 to 1705, Bernoulli carried out his work at the University of Groningen. In 1696 he posed the mathematical challenge known as the brachistochrone problem ... read more 

 

 

  

   (in front of the Faculty of Medical Sciences) 

  

The architect and artist Gunnar Daan designed the second sculpture for the RUG Sculpture Project. Daan designed an arcadian image at the university’s Zernike Complex in the north of the city of Groningen .... read more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

   (in front of the Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5) 

 

The planting of the Kennisboom (Tree of Knowledge) marked the launch of the Kennisjaren 1994-2014 project (Knowledge Years), which is also known as De Verbeelding. Every year until 2014, an image will be created to depict an important event in the history of the university, or an important scholar and their work.