This edition of Rotterdam Cultural Histories was about a special public artwork by visual artists Teun Jacob (1927-2009) and Kees Verschuren (1941). In the seventies they created the largest artwork in the Netherlands at that time. In a period of five years they realized an impressive land art project on the 1st Maasvlakte, adjacent to a power plant.
The work was commissioned by the municipality of Rotterdam together with the Municipal Energy Company (GEB). Dozens of artists applied. In an open procedure, which was accompanied by the necessary protest, the commission was eventually awarded to Jacob and Verschuren. They worked enthusiastically on this enormous environmental artwork that was completed in 1979, in which work by other artists was also included, including Marinus Boezem and Carel Visser. After that, the work fell into oblivion. Due to the expansion of the power plant and overdue maintenance, the artwork has been increasingly damaged in recent years.
A showcase presentation showed archive documents about the creation of this artwork, about the consultation, the many opinions, the protests. Historical photos and construction drawings showed the work and showed how intimate spaces were combined with wide views.
Rotterdam Cultural Histories is a collaboration between TENT and Witte de With, initiated by Defne Ayas (Witte de With) and Mariette Dölle (TENT) to explore the shared roots of both institutions in Rotterdam.
Sandra Smets was responsible for the compilation and research for this edition. With thanks to: Kees Verschuren, Rotterdam City Archives, Xandra Nibbeling, Cathy Jacob, Hein van den Assem, Marcel van de Wouw, Rotterdam Center for Visual Arts, Netherlands Institute for Art History.