The Objects

Lantern

Ceramic, Steel, Concrete,

100 X 50 X 345 cm

2020

Unique 1/1 Signed COA by the artist

Story

In the past four years, I have developed a fascination for firearms. Not in a positive sense, an adoration for it, but rather a resistance against it. A sort of anti-movement. The enormous amounts of firearms lead to endless violence worldwide. Each of them zeal for political, territorial, financial, physical or even mental power over the other. On the other hand, I am also sensitive to the shapes and technics of weapons. Their practical and visual developments. I became interested in the transformation of an effective device to an object with visual expression. Within my work I investigate how I can convert the factor of power in firearms into powerlessness. Disarm it, as it were. With this I want to show that real weapons are merely destructive and can be only used as such. That our civilization and development is slowed down, rather than accelerated by them. Or is it a necessary harm, in defense of our body and soul?

Powerlessness as identity

The installation The Object is based on a fragment from the public space. A civil scene of a bench, lamppost and trash can, as we would encounter them in a parc. The shape of it has deliberately been kept as basic as possible, in accordance with reality. A clear contrast should emerge between the street furniture and the specific addition of the weapon objects. These are made of baked clay and processed in such a way that they give a melted impression. The combination of this material and their physical posture, that of a rag doll, bring down the prestige and symbolism of the weapon. The weapons are not put at the ready or threateningly positioned, but rather have a listless pose. Almost as that of victims. All the weapons have lost their firepower and hang or lie lifeless. The scene should give you the feeling that firearms have reached their limits. Unusable for any battle or duel. Their original form and destructive function have been degraded to a purposeless matter. The summation Heads Up, becomes a joke because of this. Through this setting the impression arises that weapons are just waste and have been left careless.

In itself, the presence of weapons on the streets is not surprising. But the use of materials, the deformation and position of these weapons deliberately have an alienating effect. Unlike toy weapons, the illusion is unsatisfactory. They are hardly recognizable from a distance. Only when approached, distorted contours and shape properties emerge. And up close you come to the conclusion that these weapons no longer have any firepower.

My goal with this installation is to put the possession and use of firearms on the agenda. Making people conscious of their destructive function. If it were for me, there would be a global ban on the possession of firearms. My aspiration is probably idealistic. Inspired by the fact that I grew up in a safe environment. One that has made me to the person that I am today. That is why I want to address social issues with my objects and installations. Creating any hope in the violent world we live in today. So that we convince each other with argumentation instead of ammunition.

The Objects

Bench

70 X 200 X 70 cm

Ceramic, Wood, Concrete

2020

Unique 1/1 Signed COA by the artist

Story

In the past four years, I have developed a fascination for firearms. Not in a positive sense, an adoration for it, but rather a resistance against it. A sort of anti-movement. The enormous amounts of firearms lead to endless violence worldwide. Each of them zeal for political, territorial, financial, physical or even mental power over the other. On the other hand, I am also sensitive to the shapes and technics of weapons. Their practical and visual developments. I became interested in the transformation of an effective device to an object with visual expression. Within my work I investigate how I can convert the factor of power in firearms into powerlessness. Disarm it, as it were. With this I want to show that real weapons are merely destructive and can be only used as such. That our civilization and development is slowed down, rather than accelerated by them. Or is it a necessary harm, in defense of our body and soul?

Powerlessness as identity

The installation The Object is based on a fragment from the public space. A civil scene of a bench, lamppost and trash can, as we would encounter them in a parc. The shape of it has deliberately been kept as basic as possible, in accordance with reality. A clear contrast should emerge between the street furniture and the specific addition of the weapon objects. These are made of baked clay and processed in such a way that they give a melted impression. The combination of this material and their physical posture, that of a rag doll, bring down the prestige and symbolism of the weapon. The weapons are not put at the ready or threateningly positioned, but rather have a listless pose. Almost as that of victims. All the weapons have lost their firepower and hang or lie lifeless. The scene should give you the feeling that firearms have reached their limits. Unusable for any battle or duel. Their original form and destructive function have been degraded to a purposeless matter. The summation Heads Up, becomes a joke because of this. Through this setting the impression arises that weapons are just waste and have been left careless.

In itself, the presence of weapons on the streets is not surprising. But the use of materials, the deformation and position of these weapons deliberately have an alienating effect. Unlike toy weapons, the illusion is unsatisfactory. They are hardly recognizable from a distance. Only when approached, distorted contours and shape properties emerge. And up close you come to the conclusion that these weapons no longer have any firepower.

My goal with this installation is to put the possession and use of firearms on the agenda. Making people conscious of their destructive function. If it were for me, there would be a global ban on the possession of firearms. My aspiration is probably idealistic. Inspired by the fact that I grew up in a safe environment. One that has made me to the person that I am today. That is why I want to address social issues with my objects and installations. Creating any hope in the violent world we live in today. So that we convince each other with argumentation instead of ammunition.