Pavilion 2 (public commission, Schutterspark, Brunssum -NL, 2008)

(Click for video)

(Click for hi-res picture)

This commission was subjected to unite the demand for a spot for tourist information on walking tours, also to have a primary artwork for this park to be a “sculpture garden”. Also facts from history were taken in consideration.

The region used to be prosperous during the beginning of the industrial era up to the mid sixties of last century; mining for coal was making a huge imprint on the socio-economy. To house the mineworkers, a master plan was developed which influenced town- and infrastructure planning and architecture. “Koloniën” were raised, small communities outside of the bigger cities, to house the workers. Those houses, in size conform hierarchic position of the residents within the company, were according to uniform design. This was usually based upon classical (revival) styles. This most optimal situation was created to have self-sufficient communities out of reach of urban influences: alcohol, corruption of moral and socialism.    

In two ways the living situation left an impression on the design: first, just being scaled down, the form and the dimensions are inspired upon the uniformity of the “kolonie“-houses, secondly a video loop on a build-in touchscreen shows the current situation in some of the houses that still exist.

The video shows a seemingly endless “rider” (videotaped on a dolly –a construction with wheels, often on rails, to put the camera at) through the interiors of several houses. Smoothly edited and digitally darkened-up it evokes the “feel” of a documenting registration without explicit journalistic values. The edit goes seamless from one interior to the other.

Pavilion 2 issues the direct environment and it’s past at this juncture. It questions where and how economy, history and society link to each other. This installation represents archetypes, contemporary myths and personal considerations from the artist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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