During WWI the Germans set the University Hall ablaze. The centuries-old library, which held hundreds of thousands of often rare books, went up in flames. With support from the Americans, a new library was built in the 192o’s in the Flemish Renaissance style. Impressive about this building are the many stones engraved with inscriptions from the hundreds of American technical and engineering schools that contributed to its reconstruction. The carillon in the tower, with its 63 bells – one of the largest in the country – was a gift from 16 American engineering societies.*
In front of the library, in Ladeuze square stands a monument entitled Totem; a giant beetle impaled on a needle. The strange spectacle left me wondering why and what it was supposed to signify.
The truth behind the story is that it was a gift to the city of Leuven by a Belgium-based artist Jan Fabre. Fabre is a well known sculptor, but also a playwright, choreographer, designer. This is not the first time he creates animal figures. In Nieuwpoort he has made a giant turtle monument, named ‘Searching for Utopia’. Similar works in the open are exhibited in Bruges. He also exhibited his works in The Louvre.
The ‘beetle-monument’ was unveiled in 2000, the year of the 575th anniversary of K.U. Leuven. The name of the work of art is the Totem. In the artist’s own words, this work symbolizes a lot of things: nature, radar for human existence and so on. The other meaning refers to a bigger collection Fabre made. He has actually made a whole collection of upside-down insects pinned on needles.
Fabre also says that he had a lot of help from professionals at K.U. Leuven without whose expertise he would have not done the job proper. Most importantly, he was roaming around Leuven a lot, looking for a perfect location for the monument. He choose the Ladeuze square because it is in front of the library and, as he claims: Totem is a tribute to knowledge, to beauty, to the poetry of existing/being.
*From Out and About in Leuven walks leaflet
It’s hard to believe that this is a modern building, Cherie. I don’t like that totem at all
I wouldn’t have know it either if I hadn’t read up on the history
I’m afraid I agree. There is nothing attractive about the totem at all. All it stands for for me is the harm that we have done to our planet and the biodiversity upon it. Perhaps that is what was meant by “radar for human existence.”
The beetle is beautiful but I hate that it is pinned on a needle. I also don’t think it works well in the place that it is situated.
A beautiful building with a sad history. Also the Germans destroyed a lot in our country. Art….. everybody has an opinion on art and I have to say I don’t like the totem. Kind of cruel..
The Germans did a lot of damage in the region Belgium and Holland. The scars can still be seen today.
I don’t like the monument either.
If I lived there, I would not want some giant cockroach on a pole! The library building is very attractive, though.
I would have liked the chance to go inside the library building
I would also liked to have heard the Carillon 
“he claims: Totem is a tribute to knowledge, to beauty, to the poetry of existing/being”
Hmm… (and to cruelty and human contempt for other creatures, perhaps). I quite like it though, as it provokes thoughts. The library building is magnificent. I wish more was still built in the old ways.
I agree the Totem shows cruelty. The beetle itself is beautiful but I don’t think the monument should be placed where it is.
The library building is magnificent
Go allied troops!
Go…not so much, more post-war Belgian art, the meaning of which has either gotten lost in translation or odd positioning!
However, what to do, when someone gives you a gift like the totem. I’m pretty sure you can’t say “no thank you” or “regift” it to someone else
This one I can’t even begin to understand! The beetle itself is rather fine on its own though.
Hi CherryPie , I am in agreement about the totem, don’t like it at all. But what super architecture otherwise I just find it fascinating , never used to look at buildings before I started my blog ,, hard to believe now I cannot get enough of them
..Thank you for your lovely comments and support xo Anne
I find architecture fascinating too. Especially the architecture of very old buildings.
You are welcome to my support xx