Toby Paterson: Resetting, 2013

Zuiderpark, corner Loevesteinlaan / Melis Stokelaan, The Hague

Unveiling: Monday 1 July 2013, 17:30 hrs
by Marjolein de Jong (city councillor for Cultural Affairs) in the presence of the artist Toby Paterson
Photo album opening on facebook
Location: Zuiderpark, corner Loevesteinlaan / Melis Stokelaan, The Hague
Commissioned by: Haag Wonen
Advice: Stroom Den Haag

What should we do with the beautiful sculptural ornaments by Jacques van Rhijn that were part of a demolished post-war appartment block in The Hague South West? This question came up again when the city of The Hague (department Monumentenzorg) made an inventory of monumental wall pieces in The Hague South West and established a subsidy to relocate and renovate these works of art. Building society Haag Wonen decided to use this subsidy in order to save the ornaments from the sledgehammer.

In consultation with Monumentenzorg and Stroom Den Haag the works by Van Rhijn will be relocated to the Zuiderpark. The British artist Toby Paterson designed a contemporary structure for the ornaments, giving them a new 'home'.
 
For many years there was a gaping hole in the wall of the building block on the Loevesteinlaan, but the residents of the area still remembered the 1950s ceramic ornaments by sculptor Jacques van Rhijn (1921, Venlo) that used to grace the wall. They were a prime example of post-war monumental wall art.

Building Society Haag Wonen recognized the art historic importance of these ornaments and decided to save them and relocate them.

Stroom Den Haag proposed to give the commission to the British artist Toby Paterson (1974, Glasgow). For his exhibition Generosity at Stroom Den Haag in 2007 Paterson had done a lot of research into the post-war redevelopment area of The Hague South West. Paterson, winner of the prestigious Beck's Futures Award, is fascinated by post-war ideologies and the social housing projects of the time. In his work Resetting the ornaments by Van Rhijn are supported by a triangular metal structure. The viewer can walk around the structure and for the very first time see the back of the ornaments. The relationship with other works by Van Rhijn in the neighborhood remains intact and the residents of The Hague South West get to keep the beloved wall pieces.

PRESS
AD Haagsche Courant, 24 juni 2013 (in Dutch)
Haagse Allerlei.nl, 17 juni 2013 (in Dutch)
Den Haag FM.nl, 17 juni 2013 (in Dutch)

01 Jul '13
Contact: Vincent de Boer