Borstplaat, Bronze sculpture at Oudekerksplein, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Borstplaat is a bronze sculpture set into the pavement beside the historic Oude Kerk in Amsterdam's Red Light District, depicting two breasts and a hand. The work consists of carefully crafted bronze elements directly integrated into the public space where visitors can encounter them at street level.
The artwork appeared unexpectedly at Oudekerksplein in February 1993, created by an anonymous artist known as De Onbekende Beeldhouwer. Shortly after, sound-dampening modifications were added in July 1993 to address concerns from the community about noise.
The sculpture embodies Amsterdam's openness to unconventional artistic expressions and provokes varied reactions from people who encounter it. It has become a talking point in the neighborhood, drawing visitors interested in exploring contemporary public art.
The sculpture sits right on the sidewalk next to Oude Kerk and is easy to locate without needing to find a specific entrance. Visitors should expect uneven surfaces and pedestrian traffic, especially in this busy area of the Red Light District.
A city councilor suggested that the artistic quality and financing indicated Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands could be the anonymous creator. This speculation shows how much the mysterious work captivated public imagination.
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