Statue "De Vlam"

Statue De Vlam, submitted by Jacobus (Kobe) Monteyne

Since 2011 the students of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel organise their own secular humanist activity week, the Week van de Verlichting (“Week of Enlightenment”). Student associations and secular humanist organisations jointly organise numerous activities during this week around a specific theme (Taboo, Human Rights, Borders, etc.).

The flame literally and figuratively symbolises the basis of the Enlightenment. Light warms, shines and attracts. The flame also refers to Free Inquiry, which the VUB carries as its core idea, and to 18th century philosophers of the Enlightenment such as Diderot and d'Holbach.

The statue in plexiglass is based on the logo of the Week of Enlightenment. The logo itself was designed by Toulet-Van Bael, after an original design by cartoonist Norbert Van Yperzeele. It was adapted to the current design by Bert van Bree and Sam Weckx.

The trophy was made to honour current “illuminators” as part of the Week of Enlightenment. The first trophy was awarded to Kevin Warwick, the first cyborg in the world, for his experimental use of chip implants.