Afvoerbuis met een 'bevestigingsring' met vijf gaten c. 1590 - 1596

This anonymous ‘waste pipe with mounting flange’ resides in the Rijksmuseum. The interplay of vertical and horizontal elements immediately strikes you, the cylindrical form of the pipe contrasts with the flat plane of its base. Consider how this simple object destabilizes traditional aesthetic categories. Is it art? Is it artifact? Or both? The material itself, patinated bronze, speaks to time and process. Its weathered texture invites contemplation on the effects of erosion and decay. The visible holes disrupt the solidity of the form, creating a play of positive and negative space. Such industrial objects prompts us to question how meaning is assigned, and how everyday items can challenge our preconceptions about value and permanence. The pipe invites us to see beyond its utilitarian function, becoming a focal point for broader cultural and philosophical inquiries. Art invites ongoing interpretation, challenging established meanings.