Client: municipality of Amsterdam, district council Osdorp
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Completion date: 2006
Artwork budget: $75,000
Project Team
concept, design, fabrication
Paul Vendel
vendel & de wolf
concept, design, drawings
Sandra de Wolf
vendel & de wolf
fabrication
Frank van Rijn
smederij van Rijn
constructive calculations and foundation
Arthur de Groot
art advice and project management
Wiseguys, urban art projects
www.wiseguys-urban-art-projects.com
Overview
Five hundred individual triangular elements were welded together on site. Each module has rings with small reflectors inside. These reflectors light up in the dark when carslights pass by.
This area used to consist of meadows and ditches. On a late visit to the site we saw a swarm of mosquitoes over the ditch at dusk. Inspired by this, we designed the swarm. As a marker and a reminder for this new build neighbourhood.
material: stainless steel, stainless steel rings, reflectors.
height: 7m
Goals
The aim was to create a landmark for the new district. What was special about this project for us was that we were allowed to build it on site. You cannot draw this work and then execute it.
By using modules that were made in advance, it was possible.
We had built a small model and based on that, it was determined on the spot which module should go where. With the help of our welder Frank van Rijn it was built on location in two weeks.