Artwork Data
Title
Het Speelgoedmannetje
Artist
Year
2012
Material
aluminium / steenachtig
Partial collection
Artwork Location
Address
Veenweg, Den Haag
City district
Leidschenveen-Ypenburg
GPS data
52.056273356712, 4.3973712888077 View on map
Artwork Description
Text
On the edge of the roundabout near the fire station is 'The Little Toy Man'. It is one of seven sculptures by artist duo LaSalle. This sculpture marks the entrance to the De Dijken district of Leidschenveen. There is no real tin toy man that can move. Although the title does suggest it is. What we do see is a colourful meandering sculpture supported by two large oval pedestals.
The artist duo has translated the toy man from a well-known song by writer, composer and cabaret artist Drs P. into a meandering form that is derived from a 12th-century lamp and scent bowl from Cambodia. In one of the curls of this form, a gnome-like figure is taking a nap. On top, a brown and yellow striped fantasy head pops out of the bowl like a jack-in-the-box. From the head, a pied woodpecker then peaks out and taps on this head. Funny, but also a bit ominous.