The monumental sculpture Kijk Uit Attention by Krijn Giezen, which has stood in the Kröller-Müller Museum’s sculpture garden since the summer of 2005, remains inaccessible to the public. The museum has decided to take more time to make a well-considered and responsible decision as to which additional measures are required before re-opening the work.

On 24 May 2006 a 17-year-old student was seriously injured in a fall on ‘the stairs’, as Kijk Uit Attention is commonly known, and the museum decided to close the work temporarily for the public’s safety. Thankfully the victim recovered quickly, but for the museum questions remained. We wished to establish whether extra measures needed to be taken in order to rule out the repetition of such an incident in the future.
Following the fall the police saw no reason for a further investigation. Out of respect for the wishes of the victim and his classmates, the museum conducted only a limited internal investigation, after which we concluded that additional measures must be taken to ensure that when descending the stairs it is impossible for someone to develop speed and thus risk a fall. The museum stood and continues to stand by the conviction that there is no danger whatsoever if the stairs are climbed and descended in a calm manner: the many tens of thousands of visitors who have safely climbed the stairs since they opened are proof of that. But the museum now knows that there is a risk. Although the museum does not consider itself liable for what happened on 24 May – because we believe that every visitor must take responsibility for themselves and others – it does feel responsible. On the basis of this responsibility we have decided to investigate which additional measures are desirable and possible.
This research involves several key parties: the artist, the municipality of Ede (which issued the permit) and the insurance company. We have consulted safety experts, amusement parks, attractions that involve higher than normal levels of risk, legal experts etc. The options include maintenance of the sculpture in its current state but with stricter protocols for access, structural alterations, permanent closure and even demolition. No decision has yet been made.
Krijn Giezen and the museum’s staff were shocked by the accident. The artist sees the current closure of the work as a component of its functioning within time. One of the dilemmas we face is that fundamental structural changes will alter the work’s character and thus raise questions as to its legitimacy as a work of art in the sculpture garden. It is also clear that in reaching a decision the museum must take account of social developments in terms of liability and individual and public responsibility. The current tendency to apportion blame to a third party and the attendant claim culture obliges the museum to be fully informed on this position.
The museum will take its time to make a decision. The experience has taught us that, whilst our visitors think it a great shame that they are unable to climb the stairs, they also appreciate the situation. For the meantime we call upon your continued understanding.

Evert van Straaten
Director Kröller-Müller Museum