Evolutie, 1966
Piet Slegers (Netherlands, 1923-2016)
Sonsbeek ’66, City Hall, Arnhem
Photographer: Eva Olthof
Inleiding
Evolutie was created in 1966 by the Dutch artist Piet Slegers and was exhibited that same year during Sonsbeek ’66. This edition of Sonsbeek was the first to feature many abstract works, often no longer displayed on pedestals. With this choice, the selection committee highlighted contemporary developments in sculpture.
Slegers had a particular interest in space exploration, which experienced enormous advancements in the 1960s, culminating in the 1969 moon landing. Slegers’ interest is reflected in Evolutie. It is a dynamic work, reminiscent of rocks from space or a cloud of glowing hot gas during a rocket launch.
Slegers was born in Mierlo, in the province of Brabant, but lived almost his entire life in Velp. His public artworks can be found throughout the Netherlands. In some cases, they involve large-scale Land Art projects, such as his Landschaps-zonneproject from 1979, visible at the Kröller-Müller Museum.