Experience grace with Door Wind Bewogen Beweging. This art piece dances. It moves with every passing breeze. We’re standing on Westerdoksdijk. Here, the wind whispers stories of Amsterdam’s maritime past.
Door Wind Bewogen Beweging translates to “Door wind moved movement.” The name perfectly describes its essence. This kinetic sculpture responds to the air. Its form is ever-changing. It shifts from moment to moment.
Wicher Meursing conceived this artwork. After studying classical art, he turned to movement. He wanted his art to interact with the environment. Meursing used light materials. Aluminium and stainless steel combine in this piece.
Meursing’s family had ties to this very location. His ancestors worked at Scheepswerf De Nachtegaal. This shipyard once built great sailing ships nearby. The location is not random. It connects to Meursing’s personal history.
Sadly, Wicher Meursing passed away in May 2015. Construction began shortly after. A crane carefully placed the sculpture upright in June 2015. The artwork was unveiled on August 28, 2015. The artist’s name is inscribed on the sculpture.
Door Wind Bewogen Beweging started as a scale model. In 2012, the Stichting Wicher aan de Werf auctioned a 1:12 model at Sotheby’s. Maria Blaisse championed the project. She sought to place Meursing’s work on Bickerseiland. This came after seeing his exhibition, Lucht en licht, beelden in beweging, at the Amsterdam Museum.
The Nederlandse Kring van Beeldhouwers displayed Meursing’s work in 2014. The exhibit Vleugels verbeeld was in the Hortus Haren. Three of his sculptures swayed with the wind. They echoed the spirit of Door Wind Bewogen Beweging.
In 2022, the “wings” of the sculpture were stiff. They didn’t move easily. Dirt or tight settings hindered their movement. A solution was sought.
Door Wind Bewogen Beweging is Meursing’s last public artwork. It embodies his fascination with motion. It captures the ephemeral beauty of wind. It stands as a testament to his artistic vision. It graces the Amsterdam skyline. This sculpture is a tribute to the city’s past. It is a celebration of art in motion. Take a moment. Feel the wind. Watch Door Wind Bewogen Beweging come alive.