Maasbeeld

Maasbeeld
Year	1983
Dimensions	182 cm (72 in)

Maasbeeld is a sculpture by Auke de Vries located above the Meuse River in the Dutch city Rotterdam. It balances in middle of Willemsbrug bridge and a pillar of the dismantled railroad bridge. Locally, the Maas sculpture is known as The Clothesline (De waslijn in Dutch).

Description

The statue is hung above the River

The artwork is 182 meters long and consists of steel cable and a number of abstract elements suspended above the water of the Meuse River. At high tide, one sphere floats in the water. Due to the wind and possibly wave action, the artwork is often in motion. The placing of the various elements suggests a subtle equilibrium, as if it is not a heavy construction but a light piece of cord that remains in balance through a careful composition.

History

For five years (from 1983 till 1988), the sculpture hung between the Willemsbrug and the old railway bridge. This railroad bridge was later demolished due to construction of new railway tunnel, so the artwork was stored from 1988 till 1994. That year, it was placed in its current place, between Willemsbrug and pillar which was kept as a remain of the old railway bridge. A large heavy block was added to the sculpture to balance and hold the art piece which couldn't be hold by the railway bridge anymore.