MONUMENT FOR THE CHASED-OFF CITIZEN OF ROTTERDAM
(The Hague: Since We Last Spoke About Monuments at Stroom, 2008; Prague CZ: USandTHEM at Václav Špála Gallery, 2009)

The sketching phase for this monument was completed with reference to several statements by LR (a local party from Rotterdam) leader Ronald Sørensen. In a reaction to a proposal by PvdA (Labor) council member Zeki Baran for a monument for the immigrant worker, to be placed in the Afrikaander neighborhood in Rotterdam, he stated that “no balance, immigrants from Turkey and Morocco have cost the Dutch society more than they have contributed to it.” He continued by stating that it would be better to erect a statue for the citizens of Rotterdam, who had rebuilt the city after World War II with “a natural work ethic”: “A bronze statue of a dockworker and his family, alienatedly looking at the surroundings from which they have been chased off.”

Based on these statements and further specifications provided by Sørensen in an interview with him and LR spokesman for youth, education, and culture Anton Molenaar, the design for the monument was realized and discussed with the LR representatives. Together, the interview and the 3D animation formed a two-channel video installation.

Commissioned by Ronald Sørensen
Interview by Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei
3D model and animation design by Sjoerd Oudman