The Shadow by Onno Poiesz

The sculpture “The Shadow” is set to the forecourt of the Oorlogsverzetsmuseum (War & Resistance Museum) to give the location of the museum a clear landmark. (This is not an unnecessary luxury, as the museum is somewhat hidden under the Peter the Hoochbrug) The sculpture also serves in  memory of the bombing of Rotterdam that was conducted by German Heinkel HE-111 bombers on May 14, 1940.

The work of art is made with solid concrete. The plane is upright with the nose up and resting on the tail. It is about five meters high and four meters wide. It was created by Onno Poiesz who lives and works in Rotterdam.

Because the plane is made of concrete, it symbolizes both the destruction and reconstruction of the city. The material gives the sculpture a rough appearance. When the sun shines it casts a shadow on the ground, just like the planes in 1940 did.

The bombing ripped the heart out of the city of Rotterdam. Therefore, the monument is controversial. It gives older residents of the city mixed feelings.

More information  about this and other war monuments can be found on www.4en5mei.nl/oorlogsmonumenten The site is Dutch only.