Photo Roelof Kleis The Actaeon sculpture by Amsterdam artist Iris le Rütte has disappeared. The bronze sculpture, aptly named the Split Deer, stood in the grass next to Omnia. There, it was, as has become only recently known, vandalised several months ago. Unknown persons sawed off its antlers.
In consultation with the artist, the decision was reached to restore the sculpture. For the purpose of this restoration, it was moved to a location at the end of the Bornsesteeg. From there, it was stolen a few weeks later. How remains a mystery. The vandalism was recorded on security cameras but only vaguely. Whether the thieves and vandals are the same persons is unclear.
Strengthened
Le Rütte is upset over the theft and wonders why the sculpture was stolen. ‘The value of the bronze is next to nothing, so that can’t be the reason. Moreover, like all my sculptures, the bronze is mixed with stainless steel for reinforcement. That is why the antlers can’t be yanked off. The thieves took a lot of risk for very little money.’
Actaeon was made in 1995 for the Human and Animal Physiology group on the Haarweg. It was moved to the campus in 2010 and placed near Atlas until it was moved to make room for the construction of Omnia.
The split deer was inspired by the Greek myth of the hunter Actaeon, who was transformed into a deer as a punishment for spying on the goddess Diana while bathing.
In retrospect, I think they were looking for copper or hardware and encountered this sculpture
Joke Webbink, Art and Heritage committee
Whether a replica of the sculpture will be placed is unclear. Le Rütte clarifies that a cast of the sculpture was not made at the time for financial reasons. ‘The only upside is that I still have a smaller version of the sculpture. That would allow me to make a new version that is exactly the same as the original.’ Whether she will be commissioned to do so is not yet clear, says Joke Webbink, of the WUR Art and Heritage Committee. Webbink wonders whether the thieves were out to get the sculpture. The art piece was stored on the premises of WUR’s Construction department. ‘A secure location. In retrospect, I think they were looking for copper or hardware and encountered this sculpture.’
Webbink wonders whether the thieves were out to get the sculpture. The art piece was stored on the premises of WUR’s Construction department. ‘A secure location. In retrospect, I think they were looking for copper or hardware and encountered this sculpture.’ Webbink can’t comment as to whether art on the campus should be guarded more securely. ‘ Ideas have been shared in the committee, but we will not comment on them.’
Speak
Actaeon is the first sculpture by Le Rütte that has been targeted by vandals. ‘Thirty of my sculptures have been placed in public spaces, and never before has one been vandalised or damaged. People keep their hands to themselves. I think it is because my work does not express any form of aggression. I see art as a way to communicate, and I try to speak to the viewer through my work. I always hope a connection will be formed.’
I worry whether the thief and my sculpture will get along
Iris le Rütte, sculptor
There has been one previous theft of a sculpture by Le Rütte. ‘However, there are indications that bronze was not the prize then. Following the theft, the owner received a card stating that the sculpture was in good hands but now had a new owner. I feel that it must be really difficult, if not impossible, to enjoy looking at a sculpture that you have stolen.’
Pitiful
‘That people do such a thing is pitiful’, says Le Rütte. ‘I always wonder what a person that does such a thing feels. I always put my soul into my work and hope my sculptures look like living creatures, In that sense, I worry whether the thief and my sculpture will get along.’
