Community encouraged to experience ‘Paviljoen’ sculpture in Lewes

The City of Lewes Public Art Committee successfully installed DeWitt Godfrey’s sculpture “Paviljoen,” over a three-day period in July.

“Paviljoen” (Dutch for pavilion) finished its assembly process and was revealed July 20. Commissioned especially for Lewes Canalfront Park, it consists of a circle of ascending bands of rolled Corten steel that gather as an assemblage to celebrate the meeting place or “Paviljoen” of our early Dutch settlers. It could not have happened without assistance from the Lewes Board of Public Works team and their generosity of staff and equipment during the installation. It also could not have happened without the assistance of the Delaware Division of the Arts grant and Kristin Pleasanton, its deputy director.

The piece seems paradoxically lighthearted, especially since it’s all Corten steel. It’s easy to relate more to the openness of circles than the solidity of the rings themselves, but it is very rhythmic in either spectrum. The connectedness of this poetic structure is where the rhythm originates and why it works so well. It dances to a different tune each time you shift your view or even with subtle changes in light. “Paviljoen” will evolve over the seasons as the patina of rusting Corten steel takes over and erases the marks left where welds were cleared off.

When visiting, do not neglect to experience it from the inside. Instead of bringing things together, this central area seems to isolate certain views as you gaze out through the hoops. Like in the eyeball of a fly, the viewer is the center of various windows, showing a dozen different vignettes. Since the piece is constructed of open bands of steel, it is very difficult to get a good feeling for if from photos, as the bulk of it is open space. I highly recommend you visit it in person to form your own opinions.

The City of Lewes Public Art Committee is proud to offer this work for your viewing experience. We urge you to go see it and express your opinions, good or bad. That’s the reason we did this.

For more information about this internationally acclaimed artist, go to dewittgodfrey.com.