Out of Focus
Status
Temporary
Category
In storage
Since
08-03-2024
Explanation
In early March 2024, some of the Fairy Tale sculptures by sculptor Tom Otterness at Museum Beelden aan Zee were removed from the boulevard. This was done as a precautionary measure. Over the next year and a half to two years, work will take place on the middle boulevard. Initially, only a few small sculptures would go into storage. However, the placement of a temporary construction bridge between the Scheveningseslag and the construction site for supplying the beach tents proved to be too close to the 'Crying Giant'. It was therefore decided to move this large sculpture to safety as well. After the summer of 2025, the middle boulevard should be completed. After that, the missing Fairy Tale statues will return. Fortunately, this work of art has 20 small and 3 large sculptures, so there will be plenty to experience in the coming months as well.
Image
Artwork Data
Artwork Location
Address
Strandweg, Den Haag
City district
Scheveningen
GPS data
52.111661540286, 4.2780477558502 View on map
Artwork Description
Text
Most strollers along the Scheveningen boulevard will be familiar with them: the 'Fairy Tale Sculptures' by American artist Tom Otterness. Already at a great distance, at the height of 'Museum Beelden aan Zee', you can discern his 'Haringeter', a figure on meter-long, lanky legs, its convex head in the neck. Getting closer, you discover numerous similar creatures of all sizes and poses.
All turn out to refer to Scheveningen and fairy tales in one way or another: Hansel and Gretel, Jonas in the whale, a crying giant, they are recognizable to everyone. This is how Theo Scholte, the initiator of the museum, formulated the mission: high-quality art that would appeal to everyone from all over the world. Children in particular appear to see all kinds of things in it. They are also allowed to crawl all over it. 'Then they just shine more,' Otterness believes.
Making art for everyone is what Otterness had in mind. Initially, he made videos and magazines to reach the general public. When he discovered that plastic Elvis and Jesus figurines were in great demand, he realized that humor and recognition could make art more accessible. To that end, he sought simple, appealing forms suitable for serial production. The result were lanky creatures on long legs, inspired by cartoon characters from the 1920s.
Otterness has provided a variety of locations with his humorous creatures. Of these, Battery Park in New York is the most famous. There, very small figures light up the tiles. Otterness' images invite closer inspection. Then it is striking that there is also criticism hidden in them. For example, in Scheveningen you will notice the little man with a head shaped like a globe with a noose around his neck ... But Otterness does not force his opinion: 'A smile, that's what I do it for.'