On 10 December, 48 people from Eindhoven chose the artwork that will be placed in the museum garden of the Van Abbemuseum in 2026.
Through a careful citizens' consultation, a diverse group of residents chose which artwork would best suit the city. The chosen object will be unveiled in 2026 as a gift to Eindhoven. The work is by Ilya and Emilia Kabakov and consists of two parts. A first work to be placed in the garden of the Old Building: ‘The Acrobat’. And a second work placed behind the New Building titled ‘The Five Steps of Life’.
This autumn, 8,000 random Eindhoven residents received an invitation to participate in the lottery process for the citizens' consultation. Of these, 50 residents were selected to participate in discussions about the artwork. The group met three times in November and December and, under the guidance of independent discussion leaders and with input from experts, discussed which choice would best fit Eindhoven's identity.
The result of this process is a work of art that symbolises the city and enriches public space. The artwork will be unveiled in 2026 in the garden of the Van Abbemuseum, as a lasting addition to Eindhoven's cultural heritage.
Main Image: Ilya en Emilia Kabakov 'The Acrobat'