Gerard Philips artwork: tribute to innovation, entrepreneurship and humanity
Gerard Philips will receive a handmade steel artwork, measuring 8 meters wide, 7 meters high and weighing 23,000 pounds. In honor of Philips' 130th anniversary, the company has donated a work of art by Gerard to the municipality of Eindhoven as a tribute to innovation and humanity.
Unveiling
On Monday, May 15, the founding date of Philips, Philips CEO Roy Jakobs will officially hand over the artwork to the mayor of Eindhoven, Jeroen Dijsselbloem. The artwork will be temporarily placed in the Gloeilampplantsoen at Strijp-T in Eindhoven. Once the renewed Victoriapark in the city center is completed, it will be moved there. Just steps away from its first factory on the Emmasingel, which now houses the Philips Museum.
The seven-meter high work of art slowly floats across the Waal River from Millingen aan de Rijn towards Zaltbommel. From Zaltbommel to Eindhoven, transport continues by trailer.
"Gateway to the Future"
Artist Andreas Hetfeld, with a team of eight experts, worked in a shipyard in Millingen on the Rhine for nine months land on this technical tour de force.
The official name of the artwork is "Gateway to the Future," for the artist himself it is primarily a monument to humanity and innovation: "This artwork is a tribute to Gerard as an engineer, manufacturer and as a human being. He has been very important for the development of the Eindhoven region. And I think his influence is still visible today. Eindhoven is not for nothing known as the smartest region of Europe, that started with Gerard Philips. So I hope he can serve as an inspiration for future generations who are engaged in innovation and entrepreneurship in a socially engaged way."
Exhibition about Gerard
The Gerard Philips exhibition allows the general public to get to know the founder. Who was he? What did he do? And what is his significance?
The temporary exhibition offers a glimpse into the thoughts and actions of the founder of Philips. With an eye for technology, entrepreneurship and his fellow man, Gerard was an exceptional man who, more than 130 years ago, laid the foundation for the international company that grew into a global concern. To this day, Gerard's passion for innovation and entrepreneurship remains an inspiration.
Read more news about Gerard Philips' artwork.
