De draadloper (“The wire walker”) is the name of the artwork in question. Artist Henk Visch originally created it for Shell, and until 2022 it stood—no, hung—in The Hague: it depicts a human figure moving mechanically along a rope high in the air.

Visch was born and raised in Eindhoven, but his art can be found all over the world. However, there is only one work by Visch in his hometown, coincidentally also on the TU/e campus. The bronze sculpture of a human figure and a boulder is called There is no song about it and is located at De Zaale.

Eindhoven citizen Hendrik Driessen started things off. The former director of Museum De Pont in Tilburg told ED last weekend that Visch has De draadloper work back in his possession and would like to donate it to the city.

Progress

Mayor Dijsselbloem was excited about the idea, and a great spot had already been found: near the bridge over the Dommel (see photo) that serves as the gateway to the university, close to the intersection of Kennedylaan and Dr. Dorgelolaan. Why would this be such a fitting location for the work? 

“Above the Dommel would be beautiful and also safer than above a street, square, or park,” said a spokesperson for the municipality. “In addition, the artwork symbolizes ‘progress in balance,’ while technology enables movement (progress). That is, of course, very fitting with the mission of TU/e.”

Britte Sloothaak, the conservator of art and heritage collections at TU/e, is also open to the idea, “given that the TU/e grounds are used by residents and visitors as a park and public facility, and because the artist is from Eindhoven.”

Budget cuts

No doubt about it. Or so you would think, because TU/e has decided to say ‘no’ to De draadloper after all. This is because there will still be costs associated with the gift. The municipality is currently assessing the costs of transporting and installing the sculpture, and Hendrik Driessen is working with an art collector to find funding for this.  Nevertheless, the university has already turned down the offer at this stage.

“We have carefully considered the request, but unfortunately we have concluded that it is impossible for us to comply. The reason for this is that we cannot free up the necessary funds for the installation costs and the management and maintenance of the artwork, especially now that we are facing budget cuts,” Sloothaak explains.

At the time of publication, the municipality had not yet indicated if a different location will now be sought.

This article was translated using AI-assisted tools and reviewed by an editor