Vissering-Ruiter of Koninginneschaats 1891 - 1955

These ice skates by G. Vissering are made from wood, leather and metal and, though we don’t know exactly when, were clearly made for speed. What I like about them is the way the materials show the history of their use. I’m drawn to the worn leather straps with their tarnished metal buckles – each one tells a story of being fastened and unfastened, pulled tight against the cold. The grey metal plates screwed into the wood also have the same quality, and you get a sense of how they have been pushed through the ice by the skater. The shape of the wooden shoe section and upturned front also give the piece such beautiful, sculptural qualities, which almost makes you forget that they were made for a specific purpose. Their materiality is also suggestive of other art forms like sculpture or assemblage. Kurt Schwitters comes to mind. Ultimately these skates are more than just skates. They are a testament to time, motion, and the poetry of everyday objects.