Artwork Data

Title

Duo

Artist

Pim van der Maas

Year

1978

Material

roestvast staal

Dimensions

h. 285 cm

Artwork Location

Address

Melis Stokelaan, Den Haag

City district

Escamp

GPS data

52.047811879645, 4.279913554245 View on map

Artwork Description

Text

Pim van der Maas is a true sculptor. With care, he constructs solid objects that look fragile and playful. The sculptures he makes especially for public spaces have a high attention value. They are usually based on a well thought-out concept and on more or less geometrical starting points. Nevertheless, the artist boldly handles elements such as square, circle, triangle, line, symmetry, intersection and balance.

Van der Maas' language of form is in keeping with the abstract movement in sculpture, which is seeking a new and authentic language of form that deviates from dogmatic constructivism, minimal art and new business methods. Geometric forms remain the point of departure for both these older art movements and for Van der Maas.

Van der Maas is particularly interested in the tension between form and line. At the same time, he is looking for an effective translation of abstract concepts such as rhythm, repetition, symmetry, movement and dynamics. But in contrast to the 'straightforward thinkers' among the constructivists, he is mainly looking for possible deviations from fixed or predictable patterns. Surprising additions and unexpected changes in form are, for him, the rule rather than the exception.

The stainless steel construction placed on the lawn of the Melis Stokepark in 1981 is characteristic of Van der Maas's approach and outlook. The open construction consists of two improvised triangles - to which the title 'Duo' refers - and a few 'loose' lines that together make one think of a loosely conceived spatial drawing. Walking around the sculpture, one sees that the quality and structure of the lines are constantly changing. The 'loose' parts always seem to take up a different position in relation to each other.

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