Ubbo Emmius Monument

About this artwork.

The artwork by theatre designer Herbert Janse is dedicated to Ubbo Emmius, the first Rector Magnificus of the University of Groningen. It consists of a concrete “planter” in which a beech tree has been planted. The symbol of the university with all of its branches of science. The tree stands at the bottom of an archaeological pit, rooted in the past. The crown reaches up into the air; a reference to the future. On the concrete bench, made up of six elements, are six theorems by the historian and literary scholar Ubbo Emmius. The carved goose feathers in the seat of the bench reference his writing utensils. The ascending shape of the bench represents the direction a clock turns. 
 
Twenty deep blue stones have been laid in the ground in this direction, bearing the dates from 1994 to 2014. The information on the work of art is chiselled in the first stone, from 1994. Other works of art are mentioned in the other nineteen stones.
 
This artwork by Herbert Janse is in fact the first work created for the art project (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
  Herbert Janse

• District
  Centrum

• Year of creation
  1994

• Art type
  Monument, Freestanding sculpture

• Material
  Concrete, Beech tree

• Dimensions
  h 0,50 x b 2,50 x d 2,50 m