The artists have tried to stress on the exact moment when the bowling ball hits and displaces all the pins with the emphasis being on the moment. A strike is a term used in bowling to indicate that all of the pins have been knocked down with the first ball of a frame. The artwork represents a ‘strike’ in bowling. The artwork itself comprises a bowling ball and ten bowling pins, with half the ball and some of the pins deep-set in the ground, making them partially visible. Though faced with a lot of criticism because of the financial liability associated with an installation of this desired scale, the art managed to speak for itself and silenced its detractors after it was inaugurated. The green space at the entrance/exit (whichever side you chose to see it from) of the Kennedylaan was finally chosen because of its proximity to the center and its strategic location. The art duo were briefed to come up with an ‘eye-catcher’ in the best possible location where this art would be viewed by as many viewers as possible. They wanted to commemorate their achievements in the previous millennium and start the new one in a positive ‘go for it’ kind of manner. The Gemeente Eindhoven wanted to herald the new millennium with a big bold statement. Through commissioning such a radical piece of art and hiring artists of international repute, the Gemeente (Municipality) Eindhoven wanted to profile itself as a futuristic city. The Flying Pins is an art piece designed by the art duo Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen and was inaugurated in 2000. Finally I have found my answers, which I will now share. I tried looking around for what it was called, why it was so huge and who created it. The bright yellow seemed to brighten up even the dullest of days. Having passed this beautiful, bright work of art on countless occasions, I couldn’t help but be amazed by this piece of art. The first segment of this series is going to be dedicated to the Flying Pins! I am doing this with the hope that this knowledge brings you as much happiness as it has brought me. Furthermore, I remember Hellen Keller’s words, "Knowledge is happiness, because to have knowledge – broad, deep knowledge – is to know true ends from false, and lofty things from low." So, I will be sharing my newfound knowledge on the city with you through small segments regularly. It would feel nice to pass an interesting artifact and know what it signifies. I also had a feeling that a lot more people are interested in knowing more about Eindhoven as well. I believe – knowledge shared is knowledge earned. This unknown ‘something’ has lead to my quest of finding more about these cohabitants of the city. Adding to this are the various significant and not so significant monuments/paths and structures that stand as testimonies to something. It is a strange form of frustration when things are right in front of you, forcing you to see them but not revealing their purpose of existence. During the ups, downs and the mundaneness of life in the city of lights, I have observed, been fascinated by and been angry about the various art forms in the city. Quite a short span but it does feel like I belong here. I have been calling Eindhoven ‘Home’ for three years now. “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust
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