Foundation Art and Public Space
artist: Stanley Brouwn, davidkremers, Meshac Gaba, Rodney Graham, Jan Kuipers, Pieter Laurens Mol, Paul Perry, Huang Yong Ping, JCJ Vanderheyden
located in: Groningen,
client: Stichting Oude Groninger Kerken
The countryside to the north of Groningen has remained relatively untouched. The terp dwellings, the short and stubby church towers, the long and narrow roads, the horizon found at the end of ploughed up fields, the wind, the clay and the emptiness. In contrast to other parts of Holland, which, through a shortage of land, have been dramatically altered, this landscape offers an untouched structure with a rich cultural history. The Stichting Oude Groninger Kerken (foundation for traditional churches in Groningen) was founded in order to protect the characteristic landscape of Groningen, in which the church tower features as a quintessential element. For many years members have dedicated themselves to restoring and preserving old church buildings and their surrounding churchyards.
Various artists
Elevated Memorials
In line with the project 'Kerken in het groen' (churches in the countryside), which aims to repair and restore fifty traditional churchyards, the foundation sought collaboration with SKOR and Groningen’s local government in order to add contemporary value to these historical churchyards. Eventually and with the mediation of an advisory committee, nine artists were selected to embellish a number of churchyards. They were assigned the following eight locations:
Rodney Graham (Nieuw-Beerta)
Pieter Laurens Mol (Obergum)
David Kremers (Oosternieland)
Huang Yong Ping (Vierhuizen)
Meschac Gaba (Wierhuizen)
Jan Kuipers (Wittewierum)
Paul Perry (Woltersum)
JCJ Vanderheyden (Woltersum)
Stanley Brouwn (Zuurdijk)
Each work will individually reflect the specific function and significance of its location and, like each location in which they are placed, each work bears a permanent character. In this way visual art forges a link between the present and the past while time resumes its natural course.
The first project, by Stanley Brouwn, has been completed in 2006. It features a typical 'Stanley Brouwn' text on a sign that has been placed on the exterior wall of the church in Zuurdijk. In 2007 works of Jan Kuipers, Pieter Laurens Mol and JCJ Vanderheyden will be installed.
