Brücken von Arnheim, 1993

Rémy Zaugg (Switzerland, 1943-2005)
Sonsbeek ’93, Nelson Mandelabrug, 6811 HD

A car bridge over a river with a stone quay on the right side. Under the bridge lie two boats side by side. On the side of the bridge are large white words in capital letters: from left to right, the words are the current, the distance, the utopia, Indonesia, boats, the sea, blue sky. — *Photographer: Eva Olthof*

It is hard to imagine that the words were ever not there: HOUSES, WIND, THE CURRENT, THE DISTANCE, THE UTOPIA, INDONESIA, BOATS, THE SEA, BLUE SKIES—projected onto the iconic Nelson Mandela Bridge in Arnhem. These words evoke a rich palette of associations: the connection between land and sea, between heaven and earth, between home and far away, and between the present and colonial history. The work is a project by the Swiss conceptual artist Rémy Zaugg (1943–2005).

The title, Brücken von Arnheim (Bridges of Arnhem), refers to Zaugg’s original plan to cover both the Nelson Mandela Bridge and the nearby John Frost Bridge with words. Due to resistance from residents, ultimately only one bridge was modified. The words spark the imagination and poetically connect past and present. Thanks to neon lighting, they are visible both day and night, making the bridge a constant source of contemplation and inspiration.

Brücken von Arnheim, 1993

Inleiding