While moving the work of art, nicknamed the Bagbearer, someone fell against it, causing it to collapse. Tom Claassen, the artist, reacted quite cheerfully to this news. The VU asked him to rebuild the sculpture. When the renovation was completed, a bag suddenly hung from the sculpture's left arm. With a little adjustment, Claassen had transformed the male bag bearer into a female bag carrier. A joke by the artist.
Compassion for one's fellow man
The history of an art object thus provides a story that fits the identity of this university very well. Out of compassion for their fellow human beings, the VU and the VUMC have been pioneers in research into transgender people.
Not for eternity
Tom Claassen is known for his fleeting images, which emerge but can also change or disappear as time passes. This will also happen with this sculpture. It consists of stacked burlap sacks filled with sand. In its entirety, this forms a somewhat sagging figure. The burlap decomposes, causing the sand to flow away very slowly, until there is no he or she left. The sculpture stands more or less on the lookout at a central spot in the main building and is a point of recognition at the VU. Hopefully we will be able to enjoy this work of art that reflects our humanity for some time to come.
