“A kiss” in steel. What does it mean to Amsterdam? De Kus, a sculpture by Jeroen Henneman, stands here. It represents love and connection in Amsterdam.
De Kus wasn’t always here. It first appeared in the Bijlmer in 1982. This romantic symbol quickly captured hearts. It stood in a tough, concrete environment.
But in 2020, De Kus returned after three years. It now stands proudly in a new location. Find it at Anton de Komplein.
Jeroen Henneman created De Kus. He is a Dutch painter, graphic artist, and sculptor. Born in Haarlem in 1942, he studied art in Amsterdam. He traveled through Southern Europe. Henneman found his unique style after selling his first drawings.
De Kus is not Henneman’s only public work. He also created Het Wiel in Amsterdam. Another work is De Schreeuw. It commemorates the murder of Theo van Gogh.
The sculpture consists of three parts. Together, they weigh 16 tons. The main parts are stainless steel plates. These form two face profiles. They lean toward each other. Their lips almost touch. This becomes clear when you stand directly in front of De Kus.
De Kus received awards. In 1983, it won the Dutch Steel Prize. In 1985, it won the European Steel Prize. Henneman created another Kus for Apeldoorn in 2007.
In 2015, the Koninklijke Bijenkorf left its office. The new owner wanted to remove De Kus. In 2016, plans were made to do so. The artwork was almost lost.
The municipality of Amsterdam searched for a new location. Zuidoost wanted De Kus to stay. They felt it was something to be proud of. Henneman wanted the sculpture to be free. It needed to contrast with the open air. But it also needed a built environment.
In 2019, it was announced that De Kus would be placed on Anton de Komplein. This met both conditions. The placement required a pile foundation. The sculpture weighs around 16,000 kilos. Without a foundation, it would sink. It was placed in October 2020.
De Kus now stands here for all to see. It symbolizes connection. It represents Amsterdam’s resilience. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty. Consider its journey. De Kus is a reminder of love. It shows art’s power to inspire.