Approaching the end
I have chosen the famous title of his 1963 novel, ‘Approaching the end’, for the pedestal for Gerard Reve (1923-2006), the self-appointed ‘people’s author’ and poet. It is classic prose in the form of letters reminiscent of diary fragments. The title is characteristic of Reve’s themes: ‘loneliness’, ’futility’, ‘Death, God and Love’.
‘Approaching the end’ is a succinct example of the ironic and cynical undertone to Gerard Reve’s authorship.
The process of movement to standstill in the title ‘Approaching the end’ also refers to the position of the pedestals in the series. They visually encapsulate in their sequence the beginning and end of the ‘timeline’ of the ‘legacy of the twentieth century’.
MS
Photo
‘Approaching the end’, column, 80cm x 80cm x 40cm.
Biography
Gerard Reve (1923-2006), born Gerard Kornelis van het Reve, was an author and poet. He is considered one of ‘The Great Three’ of post-war Dutch Writers, along with Harry Mulisch and Willem Frederik Hermans. Reve’s publications include the novels ‘De avonden’ (‘The evenings’), ‘Nader tot U’ (‘Nearer to Thee’) and ‘Op weg naar het einde’ (‘Approaching the end’).
Artwork: You Are Here
Artist: Martijn Sandberg
Material: concrete
Measurements: (lxwxh) 80cm x 80cm x 40cm
Project: Legacy of the Twentieth Century
Realisation and completion: 2019
Location: Oranje Vrijstaatkade, Oostpoort, Amsterdam
Commissioned by: Amsterdam Municipality, District Oost