This statue, or would it be best to call it an installation? Is in the centre of Schipol, Amsterdam’s airport.

I have been through the airport many times over the years and always admired the piece so thought it finally worth a mention. I like it because every time I have seen the two slumped figures they have been overun with children – climbing sitting etc… they are made of metal and have no soft areas yet look the opposite. I guess that is why the children approach them so readily and why the surprise element is there for all.

It/they form such a lovely piece of work, challenging perceptions. The effect is magnified by the location – a huge airport is not the kind of place you would expect this to be.

I snapped the picture in September (passing through for IBC).

Turns out it was created by Tom Claassen, titled: ‘Two incredible sitting black snowmen’.

[they] may look soft, but in fact they are cast in unyielding bronze. The combination of form, material and dimensions work to confound the viewer and many passengers cannot resist testing for themselves whether the figures are hard or soft. This piece, dating from 2000..