Bury Pol - Fountain (1994)
Mobile sculpture - Fountain - Stainless steel - With hydraulic pump - On a stainless steel base - Unique - With documentation
Provenance: Coll. of the artist, Perdreauville (FR)
Gal. Patrick Derom, Brussels 2009
Private collection, Belgium Dimensions: 200 x 120 x 50 cm Artist Name: Pol Bury (1922-2005) Belgium Exhibited: "Pol Bury. Côté jardin" Van Buuren Museum & Gardens, Brussels 2009, cat. nr. 8
https://www.museumvanbuuren.be/en/pol-bury-van-buuren-museum-exhibitions/ (as of 4:18) Literature: "Pol Bury. Catalogue raisonné des fontaines" Éd. Louis Carré, Paris 2006, cat. nr. 43 ill. Notes: “DON’T PASS BY, THERE’S SOMETHING TO SEE !”
Pol Bury's mobile bullet fountain requires a break and a moment of attention from the passer-by so that, despite the initially static appearance, he can contemplate the slow and asymmetrical yet fascinating movement. The uniqueness of this sculpture lies in the extremely slow movement, in the craftsmanship of the execution and in the abstract structure: a technically complex concept is reduced by the artist to a cohesive formal unity.
The spheres move in accordance with their round shape. They seem to be swaying on their backdrop. The round elements are attached to their rear and are filled with water which, once a certain amount is reached, causes the spheres to pivot slightly. This causes the water to flow out through a curved slot. Freed from the weight of the water, the balls straighten up again and pendulate in circular, rocking movements back to their previous position, whereupon the whole process repeats itself.
Bury softens the rigid character of the fountain, which has been reduced to basic geometric shapes and cold surfaces, by using a touch of humor. Time and again, the rigid installation is momentarily shaken by a slow, apparently accidental movement, only to immediately fall back into a static, self-contained order.
The fountain comes into its own in a natural environment, thanks to the contrast with its geometric shapes. The reflection of the shiny stainless steel integrates both the greenery and spectators, who also bulge through the distorting effect of concave and convex shapes.
“When a fountain is in nature, it reaches its full potential, its climax.. it breathes and oxygenates”
Pol Bury's oeuvre is not only extensive but also extremely versatile: in addition to the classical art categories, it includes kinetic sculptures, jewelry and fountains. The latter have become an important part of his work. With ever new constructions, Bury tries to perfect his idea of movement in which physical phenomena such as gravity and balance have a unique meaning.
Bid on this lot
Mobile sculpture - Fountain - Stainless steel - With hydraulic pump - On a stainless steel base - Unique - With documentation
Provenance: Coll. of the artist, Perdreauville (FR)
Gal. Patrick Derom, Brussels 2009
Private collection, Belgium Dimensions: 200 x 120 x 50 cm Artist Name: Pol Bury (1922-2005) Belgium Exhibited: "Pol Bury. Côté jardin" Van Buuren Museum & Gardens, Brussels 2009, cat. nr. 8
https://www.museumvanbuuren.be/en/pol-bury-van-buuren-museum-exhibitions/ (as of 4:18) Literature: "Pol Bury. Catalogue raisonné des fontaines" Éd. Louis Carré, Paris 2006, cat. nr. 43 ill. Notes: “DON’T PASS BY, THERE’S SOMETHING TO SEE !”
Pol Bury's mobile bullet fountain requires a break and a moment of attention from the passer-by so that, despite the initially static appearance, he can contemplate the slow and asymmetrical yet fascinating movement. The uniqueness of this sculpture lies in the extremely slow movement, in the craftsmanship of the execution and in the abstract structure: a technically complex concept is reduced by the artist to a cohesive formal unity.
The spheres move in accordance with their round shape. They seem to be swaying on their backdrop. The round elements are attached to their rear and are filled with water which, once a certain amount is reached, causes the spheres to pivot slightly. This causes the water to flow out through a curved slot. Freed from the weight of the water, the balls straighten up again and pendulate in circular, rocking movements back to their previous position, whereupon the whole process repeats itself.
Bury softens the rigid character of the fountain, which has been reduced to basic geometric shapes and cold surfaces, by using a touch of humor. Time and again, the rigid installation is momentarily shaken by a slow, apparently accidental movement, only to immediately fall back into a static, self-contained order.
The fountain comes into its own in a natural environment, thanks to the contrast with its geometric shapes. The reflection of the shiny stainless steel integrates both the greenery and spectators, who also bulge through the distorting effect of concave and convex shapes.
“When a fountain is in nature, it reaches its full potential, its climax.. it breathes and oxygenates”
Pol Bury's oeuvre is not only extensive but also extremely versatile: in addition to the classical art categories, it includes kinetic sculptures, jewelry and fountains. The latter have become an important part of his work. With ever new constructions, Bury tries to perfect his idea of movement in which physical phenomena such as gravity and balance have a unique meaning.
