Page 211 - 2024-catalogus-peterspaans

2016 The Monument / The Matrix
Amsterdam, KNSM-laan 325
This artwork consists of five sections with thirteen niches and is made from paper-mâché, card- board, styrofoam, glue, and paper. The total dimensions of the artwork are 180 x 330 x 24 cm. With this piece, I mark a shift in my creative expressions. I’ve left behind my traditional methods like photography and ventured into experimenting with spatial figurative objects crafted from wire, cardboard, paper-mâché, and other materials.
Throughout this process, I made random discoveries that eventually led to a series of figures that I began to refer to as “poppetjes,” with legs becoming a significant element. These figures evolved into human legs depicted in various positions.
Through this artwork, I intended to express the diverse emotions within myself using these legs.
The artwork stands as a monumental figurative expression where I explored various visual pos- sibilities. The legs signify the ability to walk and move, particularly within the urban context. To me, this work symbolizes a city populated by individuals reacting to the city, its people, and their own positions in distinct ways. To create coherence, I assembled a tableau with niches, akin to those found in churches. This addition has transformed the piece into a monument. The thirteen niches represent different characters and concepts, such as The Ruler, The Follower, The Con- formist, The Abandoner, Trapped in the System, and more. With this artwork, I invite viewers to contemplate the diversity of human emotions and experiences within the framework of the city and society.
211