WERVELING / WHIRL OF LIFE

Through the allusion of blossoms and leaves, the artwork radiates the energy of nature’s circularity and the transience of time. The work connects the viewer to the grounding feeling of the seasons returning and the empowering quality of nature. Everything always comes back and such is the beauty of life’s balance: as the leaves fall to the ground and wither, they become part of the soil again. In nature, wilting is considered to be a sign of the plants’ circle of life towards the end. Here it is transformed into the central element and acquires a newfound beauty in all its possibilities. The petals are just past their prime, becoming translucent, and as they fall off and curl up, they become alluring. Drawing inspiration from the 17th century flower paintings, the work contains humorous elements such as hidden creatures.
 
Whirl of Life contains two organic spirals that reach towards each other at the center of the sculpture. The upper spiral moves from outwards to inwards, while the lower follows the opposite direction. Suspended from the ceiling on eight points, the work appears floating in space, requiring the audience to look up and move around. Seen from the floors above, the visitor looks closely into the sculpture. The artwork embodies the soft, strong and fluid characteristic of hot glass. Each glass element is a combination of color hues ranging from light oranges to dark purples and is secured by a metal thread, which hangs out from the steel spiral. The LED light embedded in both frames creates a veil of luminosity that magnifies the semi-transparent colorful shapes.

The artwork was commissioned by the Friends of the Mauritshuis Foundation to commemorate its 200th years of the Mauritshuis Museum.

MAURITSHUIS MUSEUM

WERVELING / WHIRL OF LIFE, Glass, steel, LED lights, 170 x 150 x 605 cm, 2022.  
​(Photography Annemarie Sabelis)

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Bibi Smit
In collaboration with
Studio Bibi Smit
Led Label
Letter Z Design
Height Care
Johan Galjaard
Ruth Gerritse

Director of Mauritshuis Museum
Martine Gosselink
 
Photography
Annemarie Sabelis

​Many thanks to:
Laurien Schroeder
Mary Bentham
Sophie Dencher
Caroline Wiersum
Vrienden van het Mauritshuis
Medewerkers van het Mauritshuis
 
With the support:
Stichting Vrienden van het Mauritshuis
Stichting van Achterbergh-Domhof
Van Ommeren-de Voogt Stichting
Mondriaan Fonds