Mosaic and prints representing “A pot of gold on Southâ€
Artist: Arno Coenen
Inspired by the environment of the Polderplein in the Hillesluis district in Rotterdam (NL), Arno Coenen made an artwork, commissioned by the Feijenoord borough of Rotterdam, for a wall of 1,5 meters high and 22 meters long.
The work, made of glass mosaic tiles and printed ceramic tiles, contains Coenen's typical symbolism and honour and is placed on the wall that separates the Fatih mosque from the Polderplein. On the square (plein), a lot of kids play and parents gather there to have a chat with each other. From now on, the conversations will most likely be be about the golden composition of the culturally diverse Rotterdam South.
The artwork makes a positive contribution to the direct environment and was recently festively opened by Rene Kronenberg (portfolio manager Art & Culture) and Soufian Touzani (local soccer talent).
Except for the Fatih mosque, also a primary school and a branch of Duimdrop (playground facility) can be found at the square. Also those who physically contributed to the work can be found within walking distance: pupils and teachers of secondary school OSGT Nieuw Zuid.
Also Roelof Kok from Foundation NRC is also thanked for making this artwork possible.
www.arnocoenen.nl more
AVRO KunstUur's interest in the artists Arno Coenen, Cirque de Pepin, Transister and Hans van Bentem
The artists have been interviewed, together with their artworks, for the series “Van de Straat†(From the Street), part of the television program AVRO KunstUur.
The episodes are completely dedicated to art in the public space: art that is on the street and is accessible to every one. The program invites the viewer every week to think about the fact that one doesn't necessarily needs to go to a museum to experience art.
Last May 2nd, the “The Pink Underpass†by Transister was shown, on May 30th “Lady and her dwarf†by Cirque de Pepin and Hans van Bentem's ceramic sculpture “Guard†will be shown this fall.
Check http://kunstuur.avro.nl for any of the concerning episodes.
Wreath of light around Ossip Zadkine's sculpture “De verwoeste stadâ€
Every year on the 14th of May, various commemorations and ceremonies are held in memory of the bombardment of Rotterdam. To make sure that we don't forget how horrible the war was and to think about the wars in other parts of the world.
During the Year of Architecture in 2007, Mothership gave a spectacular overview of the scale of the devastation at the time. The enormous scale of the devastation could be seen in one glance. In 2008 the bombardment was commemorated in the same impressive way.
This year, a wreath of light was put around the sculpture “De verwoeste stadâ€. Preceding the wreath of light, the city's poet Jana Beranová recited a poem, specially written for the 14th of May. During a short ceremony, the beams of light were positioned around the sculpture in a circle, after which they converged above the sculpture. At 01.27 AM, exactly 12 hours after the commencement of the bombing, the lights were turned off. The city of Rotterdam has the intention to repeat this ceremony every year. more
Coppered tiles and high-tech on the Walk of Fame of Rotterdam
The Walk of Fame Europe Foundation asked Mothership to make a plan for a total make-over of the Walk of Fame on the Schiedamsedijk in Rotterdam (NL). Besides upgrading the visual aspect, such as re-arranging and coppering the tiles, also a virtual aspect will be added.
Together with Connectholland, a plan has been made that enables visitors via their mobile phone to get more info about the celebrities with a tile in the Walk of Fame. The celebrities will tell a story about their special relation with Rotterdam. Think of Tom Jones, who “receives†a lot of underwear during concerts, enticing you to Marlies Dekkers' sexy lingerie shop. Click here to listen to the fragment about Tom Jones, made by Hans Wessels.
Hereby we would like to take the opportunity to invite entrepreneurs in Rotterdam that are interested in getting involved in a similar way, to contact Mothership and ask for Mathijs Goorhuis on 010-280 71 71 or send an email to: info@enterthemothership.com
Las Palmas building has a new artwork, titled “Loading Ready Runâ€
Artists: Geert Mul and Maurer United Architects
"Loading Ready Run" is an interactive artwork, representing the cultural organizations housed in the Las Palmas building. They are Nederlands Fotomuseum, LP II – space for urban culture and SKVR Beeldfabriek. The artwork is made by commission of both the Centrum Beeldende Kunst Rotterdam and the previously named organizations.
The work that is continuously in motion, lights up like a big kaleidoscopic lamp as soon as someone approaches it. It invites visitors to interact with the work, since the moving images react to the visitors. Also there is the possibility to upload your own images into the artwork, thus creating a reflection of the contemporary culture of images.
The artwork has recently been opened by the artists and the director of the Nederlands Fotomuseum, Ruud Visschedijk. Images of the opening have been uploaded into the artwork and can be seen there!
www.geertmul.nl
www.maurerunited.com more
Skull Chandelier now to be admired every year during the Lowlands Festival.
Artist: Hans van Bentem
During the 2008 edition of the three-day A Campingflight to Lowlands Paradise festival, one of Van Bentem's chandeliers was on loan and lit up the press tent. The Lowlands organization was so charmed by the artwork, that they decided to purchase a skull with crossed bones for themselves.
www.hansvanbentem.nl