Summary

Concrete Exchange consists of two monuments – the first is a teacup with saucer, the second is the space around the teacup with saucer that has been made solid. By using the emblematic Afghani teacup, I wanted to investigatehow a sense of belonging depends more on community building rather than buildings, cities, and nations. The aim of this work is to create qualitative, long-term gatherings of people from different environments. I do this by donating the two works to an organisation, residential community or foundation that can’t, and one that can, afford a monumental sculpture.

Info

Concrete Exchange consists of two monuments – the first is a teacup with saucer, the second is the space around the teacup with saucer that has been made solid. So it is a positive and a negative monument; a form and a residual form. The negative monument is intended to be installed in the ground and can only be viewed from above. The earth released in the process of installing is then used to stabilise the positive monument.

Concrete Exchange is inspired by the principle of an art fair where x square metre equals x euro, and by how the value of physical space in Amsterdam increases exponentially every year due to metropolitan changes. I see the teacup with saucer as a symbol against gentrification, since this social upgrading is often accompanied by the rise of hip coffee bars. This work symbolises drinking tea together, a tradition central to many non-Western cultures. The cup is based on the specific teacup that almost every Afghan family uses at home. Often, we have had to flee as a family and have lived in more than ten different places in the Netherlands. With this work, I wanted to investigate who has the right to exist where and how a sense of belonging depends more and especially on the people instead of surroundings. How do you relate to each other and what rapprochement or distance are involved? The aim of Concrete Exchange is to create qualitative, long-term gatherings of people who normally live in different environments.

Both parts of the work will be offered for donation. Residents' initiatives in the periphery that normally can’t afford a work of art like this as well as organisations or parties from the city centre that do have the opportunity to purchase art, are invited to apply to host the work. The only condition for owning the work is spending hours in each other's initiative/organisation. The requested time investment is equal to the amount of time my team and I put into the realisation of the work. The two parties can support each other in performing tasks, such as co-organising activities and programmes and attending daily activities. Once a match is found between parties, the process of jointly formulating and shaping specific responsibilities, wishes and opportunities begins. I will be responsible for transport, management and maintenance.

Many thanks to

Metal construction: Dennis Slootweg

Concrete production: Manon Stoeltie, Elena Apolostovski, Maria Beaumaster, Mali, Celine Caly, Abby Meier, Veronika Petuchova, Charlotte, Jez Marchan Fernandez Arroyo, Nagim Mohammadi

Advice: Ritsert Mans, Luuk van Vliet

Graphic design infographic: Trang Ha

Graphic design website: Nicolai Schmelling

Transport: Van Noort Transport

Location: De Besturing

Made possible by

Piket Prize (winner 2021)