Modern Pillar
Video, 9:12 minutes, HD1080, Color, No Sound
Modern Pillar captures the powerful and almost hypnotic process of a 22-meter concrete pile being driven into the earth at a construction site on Rotterdam’s Kop van Zuid. I found myself initially distracted by the constant, overwhelming sound of machinery, and it led me to investigate its source: the installation of these massive pillars to support the future 'Seattle' residential building. In this video, I focus on the slow, mechanical rhythm of the pile as it is gradually forced into the ground. The absence of sound reflects the quiet, yet monumental nature of this process. Through this work, I explore the tension between human-made structures and the natural world, and the quiet persistence of industrial progress.
This image captures a quiet, almost unexpected moment on a construction site—a pile driver filling positioned around a fire, providing both a literal and figurative warmth to the workers. The wooden blocks placed atop the concrete piles serve a functional purpose: they protect the pile from the force of the hammer. But as the impact of each blow becomes more severe, there's a risk of the wood igniting from friction. On colder days, however, the wood becomes more than just a protective cap—it is repurposed as fuel for a fire, giving the workers a place to gather and warm themselves during their break. In this work, I’m drawn to the interplay between industrial processes and human needs, and the ways in which moments of utility can also become moments of respite and connection.
Permanent Installation at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment
Located next to the office of the Inspector of Work Environments, this permanent installation invites a conversation between the industrial processes depicted and the office's role in overseeing labor safety. The placement of the work in such a space creates an intersection of art, labor, and regulation, offering a subtle reflection on the environments in which work takes place and the complexities of safeguarding those who perform it.
The work part of the group show: David&Goliath at De Apotheek, Amsterdam