The Katerva Award
Title: World in Progress – 2012
Number: 1
Design: Aleid Uhl
Produced / co-designed by: Robert duGrenier
Material: crystal and copper
The Concept behind ‘World in Progress’
The inspiring combination of the natural harmonious geometrical perfection of the Earth and the construction work needed for a sustainable future formed the basis for the creation of the Katerva Trophy: ‘World in Progress’.
Symbolism of the Circles and Squares
The key to understanding the symbolism of the work begins with the harmonious relationship and proportions of circles and squares within the sphere.
The square symbolizes the desire to find our way in a confusing world by providing us with directions (like the 4 points of our compass). The number 4 is associated with the Earth and with completeness.
The circle has various meanings. The ancient Greeks considered it to be the perfect form which contains all and from which all is created. It also symbolizes a group of people who share the same interest, actions or achievements.
Symbolism of the scaffolding
Before the actual reconstruction and renovation of each of the 7 continents can begin, a scaffold has to be set around our planet to support the construction effort.
The scaffolding is composed of a translucent geometrical crystal sphere whereby 6 squares will be connected by 12 circles. The 7 continents are loosely ‘hanging on’ this geometrical translucent ‘grid’ construction and are in the process of being ‘restored and stabilized’ for preservation.
Crystal symbolizes universal awareness. As one of the earth stones, it represents growth and renewal of the earth. The energy of crystal unites all of us in the singular quest for building a better planet. Crystal is, and has always been viewed as a reminder of the ultimate components of life – the four elements: Earth, Fire, Wind and Water. As such, crystal is viewed by many as the embodiment of life.
The Katerva Award is the pinnacle of global sustainability recognition. The name Katerva is derived from the Latin word Caterva—meaning “crowd.” Katerva serves to harness the wisdom and passion of the crowd to make necessary global change.
About the Artists
Aleid Uhl, born and raised in the Netherlands, was educated as a sculptor and stone mason in the Netherlands, France and Italy. She was involved in the restoration of Gothic cathedrals, royal palaces and other majestic structures, working in a variety of stone.
As a descendant of the “Old World”, Aleid inherited the passion for beauty in the broadest sense of the word. Her works, rendered in plaster, metal, urethane or bronze, reflect energy, inspiration, intimacy, and above all, open mindedness. All qualities she values highly.
Robert DuGrenier has been designing awards for the movie, music and theater industries over the last 30 years. Many of these awards are now corporate icons for their brands. His work has touched both traditional and experimental arenas of the glass world. In his art and in his work as a designer, Robert’s enthusiasm for the material pervades. As his work in glass has evolved, he has increased the interaction of glass with natural elements such as metal, stone and living things. He creates living art pieces that are dependent upon nature for the end result: fruit, tree sculptures interspersed with glass and metal, blown glass shell homes for hermit crabs to move in and out of, and glass bee hives with 40,000 bees to help complete the sculpture.
