The big maintenance show

“Maintenance goes art’’. On 1 December 2005 Buro MA.AN and Martine Herman presented 'De Grote Beheershow' ('The big maintenance show'), a fascinating performance that focused on the daily running of Vlaardingen’s recreational area, the Krabbeplas. The happening '90 minutes' was an idea and performance by the artist, Florentijn Hofman, of the blue building on the Beukelsdijk in Rotterdam.

‘Daily maintenance goes cultural event’
The Krabbeplas, which is located on the edge of Vlaardingen Westwijk and is wedged in between the railroad and the A20 freeway, seems to be, at first sight, a planned, well-organized and peaceful recreational area. A great deal of hard work is being performed behind the scenes to achieve this image and to ensure that, in the Krabbeplas, nature and recreation go hand in hand. However this is not always obvious to the visitor. Therefore, as part of the long-term art project 'Case Study Krabbeplas', Buro MA.AN (Urban development and visual art) and Martine Herman (art in public space) developed a cultural concept that centered on the recreational area and conceived of the art project, 'De Grote Beheershow'. During 'De Grote Beheershow' the daily maintenance work at the Krabbeplas was highlighted in a unique fashion and, in so doing, brought to the attention of its visitors. For once the daily running of the Krabbeplas was transformed into a cultural event.

A performance while dining and drinking
On the evening of 1 December, the Krabbeplas’ wooded plot became the setting of a surrealistic spectacle, complete with a lightshow and hydraulic arms and starring a maintenance team of conservationists. Florentijn Hofman was responsible for the happening '90 minuten' a theatrical show focusing on the theme of daily maintenance was performed in an open area of the woodland. Trees were chopped down with chainsaws and processed by a team of sawyers, crosscut sawyers, linesmen, carriers and shredders. From one of the hydraulic arms, visitors could witness the trimming of this plot of land.
Throughout the happening artist/chef Wessel Holleman of the 'Global Cooking Company', provided the catering that included a few customized dishes such as spit-roasted leg of lamb, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. After two sawing sessions and a break, the team captain blew the signal ‘stop sawing’ with his horn. After the leading stars withdrew, Bengalese fireworks were set off, creating a dazzling end to the evening.