Artwork Data
Artwork Location
Address
Mient, Den Haag
City district
Loosduinen
GPS data
52.071534517949, 4.271867330871 View on map
Artwork Description
Text
In 2014, the tribute to Berlage was to be located right at the head of the water of the Mient. On the side of the Valkenboskade. For three years, the Heesterbuurt neighbourhood council held discussions with the municipal council of The Hague about the location. Even up to the Supreme Court. Finally, in 2017, the sculpture was not placed upside down, but a few metres further down. Next to the sloping path along the water.
The homage to Berlage was a gift from Adrie Bruijs. This general practitioner came into contact with sculpture around 2000. He learned the craft from Voorburg artist Frans Kokshoorn, the maker of 'The Cyclist' at the junction of Bilderdijkstraat and Elandstraat in Zeeheldenkwartier. Next to his general practice, Bruijs has been sculpting to his heart's content ever since. He regularly gives his creations away. Thus 'Books Berlage' is also a gift.
In 2014, it was 100 years ago that the famous architect H.P. Berlage designed the Heesterbuurt. That seemed a good reason for Bruijs to pay homage to the master architect and urban planner. The sculptor came up with a stack of books. For not only has much been written about Berlage, but the architect himself has also published regularly. Such as the well-known 'Beauty and Society'. Bruijs cut, or rather sawed, a recognisable stack of books from black granite. The title of the work is carved in the middle.
By now, everyone is used to the final location of the statue. Including the chopping doctor himself. In an interview in the neighbourhood newsletter KonkreetNieuws (16 August 2020), he said: "Yes, it was a hassle, but I must say: the statue looks better in this spot, next to that sloping footpath."