Page 25 - Enamel & More

Balance Points - Leontine Coelewij about enamel objects in Groningen (1989)

At the end of 1988 Maria van Elk realized the monumental art work Balance Points in the
Verrijn Stuart school (instruction in economics and administration) in Groningen. With these
enamel wall sculptures Van Elk further developed a number of topics that occupied her
intensely during the last couple years, but now in completely new circumstances; on a larger
scale than before, with, for her. unfamiliar materials and tied to the circumstances and in a
spatial context.

This work of art extends over two walls 6x3 meters each, separated by a large window.
Seemingly, crisscross scattered over the wall hang colourful forms; squares, rectangles,
circles and parts of circles. Some forms hang free and isolated, but most forms are
bundled and suspend in groups, one after another, on a common balance point. Because
the parts on such a common balance point are all of different forms and colours, special
compositions with surprising colour combinations arise. With the title Balance Points the
determinative factor of this work is revealed at the same time, that is. to suspend in balance
several planes on one and the same balance point. In addition, the title also refers to the
economical topic that expenditures and revenues should always be in balance.

▼ Model for two walls, design | Verrijn Stuart School, Groningen (1988)

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