Ronald van Tienhoven
Der Aa-kerk

After Der Aa-kerk (Church) was renovated, Der Aa-kerk Foundation took the initiative to place a permanent work by Ronald van Tienhoven in the church. The artist created an installation featuring three books that were hung from the ceiling of the church.

Van Tienhoven based his work on the central role of ‘the word’ in religious culture. In one the side aisles under the arch, the artist hung an upside down book. The text on the pages of the book is visible yet illegible and its cover is facing upwards and is thus not visible. The book is made of silver-plated brass allowing it to mirror the surrounding space and reflect the slanting light. In the church’s sacristy he hung a similar book, this time a smaller gold version that hangs closer to the floor. This book’s jacket is actually visible, whereas the text on the pages is hidden from view. Texts have been applied to a nodule on the metal hangers on which the books are fastened.

In his work, Van Tienhoven investigates the relationship between text and image as well as the way in which information is communicated. He creates installations for public space areas based on this research and also acts as an exhibition curator.
(Margo Slomp)