La Condition Humaine (2 parts)

About this artwork.

The artwork, which has been placed on the square in front of the Faculty of Behaviour and Social Sciences, consists of a bench with large and small armrests. The shape of the concrete bench is a curve interrupted by an old English oak. The ensemble immediately conjures up associations with a village square where people, large and small, meet on a bench. 
 
The title is taken from the work of the French thinker Malraux from 1933. The role of the individual is central to his oeuvre. How does the individual behave in the collective? And how does interaction take place between the individual and the collective? These are questions that are often asked within the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences as well. 
 
This artwork by Lex Bekink is part of the art project Kennisjaren 1994-2014 (Years of Knowledge 1994–2014) of the University of Groningen. This project was started in 1994 on the occasion of the 380th anniversary of the university and ended in 2014 on the occasion of its 400th anniversary.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  Lex Bekink

• District
  Centrum

• Year of creation
  2003

• Art type
  Design

• Material
  Concrete

• Dimensions
  h 0,80/0,80 x b 3,80/7,60 x d 0,60/0,60 m