Kinetic artwork 'Spes Publica' brings hope to the Radboud Campus
The artwork’s title refers to Julius Caesar, who had the words SPES PVBLICA (“hope for the people”) minted on his coins to inspire courage in difficult times.
Even in our troubled times, we can all use a little hope. It is no coincidence that Radboud University chose Hope as the theme of this academic year.
This 15-by-10-metre installation adorns the façade of the Radboudumc staff car park. It consists of around 100 moving elements powered by solar energy.
When the sun shines, the colourful, coated stainless steel elements come to life, and the word **HOPE** subtly appears across the façade. With Spes Publica, the installation embodies three core values: cooperation, clean energy, and hope.
HOPE:
Spes Publica is part of the Walk of Wonder, an art route across the campus featuring seven artworks that appeal to all the senses. The Walk of Wonder project was created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Radboud University.
Because of the university’s Catholic roots, the project team decided to connect the route to the Stations of the Cross, a traditional element of preparation for Easter in the Catholic Church. By giving this tradition a modern twist, they sought to make it meaningful for our time.
Each artist involved in the project was assigned a theme related to the Stations of the Cross. Toer was asked to create a work connected to hope. We noticed that hope does not have a clear figurative image. Therefore, we decided to make a bold statement by placing the word in large letters on the façade.
Cooperation:
Each element moves independently, but togethetr they form one big movement – a metaphor for cooperation – essential in scientific research. Studio Toer drew inspiration from conversations with researchers about where scientists draw hope from during moments of stagnation in their work. This showed that contact with colleagues was indispensable.
clean energy:
The staff car park at Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10 was recently equipped with solar panels and now also functions as a ‘power plant’. With the addition of ‘HOPE’ to the central part of the facade, the entire building represents ‘the transition to clean energy’, as a beacon of hope.
Walk of Wonder
Spes Publica is part of the Walk of Wonder, an art route across campus with a total of seven artworks that appeal to all senses. Other works include: Labyrinth Unheard, an audio installation with a composition by William Barrett and Mark Opfer, inspired by the ‘carrying’ function of supporting medical staff, Springiness by Birthe Leemeijer, a land art in the forest near the Student Church about ‘healing’, and Tangan Terbuka by Amara van der Elst, an audio installation with spoken word based on conversations with volunteers. You can also find First Flight by artist-illustrator Ralph Zabel, a facade banner hanging on Radboudumc’s Building K as well as Strange Kinship by Sissel Marie Tonn, a ceramic sculpture group of horseshoe crabs in the lawn in front of the Maria Montessori building that explores the themes of connection and resilience. The seventh artwork, a fragrance artwork by Berlin artist Omer Polak near the Berchmanianum is in preparation.
The project was made possible with the financial support of Radboud University, Radboudumc and Mondriaan Fund.
