Friction and Connection: #1 Monument van de menselijke vergissing - Marijke de Goey
Conversations about Art in Public Space
Works of art in public space evoke all kinds of emotions, which can sometimes clash considerably. In the coming months, Stroom Den Haag will be talking to various stakeholders to identify the diverse feelings and interests that come into play with certain works of art in the city. This ‘emotion networking’ originated in heritage practice, where all parties involved are given a voice. It helps us to gain insight into the complexity of feelings and interests surrounding works of art in the city.
With this series, we are continuing the pilot project that started with a focus on Park in the Water by Vito Acconci & Studio, whereby ‘emotion networking’ was used. Acconci's work of art is in a location that will undergo major changes in the coming years. The networking meeting, in which the art work was viewed from different perspectives, was particularly fruitful and gave reason to continue using emotion networks for knowledge development and understanding.
The program Friction and Connection: Conversations about Art in Public Space consists of five closed working sessions led by Marit van Dijk of the Reinwardt Academy. The following artworks will be the focus of the next five sessions: :
11 November, 2025: Monument van de menselijke vergissing (1989) - Marijke de Goey
The monument was created during the construction of the Ministry of Social Affairs and refers to the bombing of Bezuidenhout on 3 March, 1943. A squadron of British bombers set out to destroy a launch site for German V2 rockets but hit the residential area instead. Hundreds of people died in the bombing.
Various stakeholders, including the artist, representatives from the neighborhood and the municipality, Atelier Rijksbouwmeester, and Stichting Atlantic Wall, will engage in a dialogue.
28 November, 2025: And Life Is Over There (2017) – Femmy Otten
Mid-December 2025: Environmental artwork with six sculptures (1985) – Carel Visser
2026: Rasp (1968) – Jan Snoeck
2026: Indisch Monument (1988) – Jaroslawa Dankova
An impression of each session can be viewed via our channels.
Are you curious about a particular discussion round and would you like to have your say about a particular work of art? Please contact Vincent de Boer at vboer@stroom.nl.
This project is being realized in collaboration with the Reinwardt Academy and with thanks to the City of The Hague.
Want to know more about outdoor art in The Hague? Click here.