Art consultancy for Waddenzeestraat in Den Helder

  • Title
    • Waddenzeestraat Den Helder
  • Artist
    • Arno Coenen & Iris Roskam
  • Art consultancy
    • Arttenders
  • Commissioned by
    • Woningstichting Den Helder
  • Location
    • Den Helder

Woningstichting Den Helder has asked Arttenders as art consultant to create a Request for Proposal for applied arts on residential buildings. Arno Coenen & Iris Roskam, designers of the artwork of the Markthal Rotterdam, have won the sketch assignment. The showreel above is an artist's impression of their work.

Image
Image

Material samples and sketch by Pepijn van den Nieuwendijk | Image courtesy of Pepijn van den Nieuwendijk

Rendering of 'Ode aan de Vrouwen van Den Helder' | Image courtesy of Arno Coenen & Iris Roskam

Greetings from
Den Helder

Woningstichting Den Helder (WSDH) is renovating several residential buildings in Den Helder. They were inspired by the work and philosophy of architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, and made several Hundertwasser- inspired designs for the extensive renovation project for their social housing project on the Waddenzeestraat.

The ideas of WSDH were featured in the local newspaper and caught the eye of born and raised Heldenaar and Arttender Faye Ellen. She immediately recognized the potential for a collaboration between an artist and the already selected architect to create not a copy of Hundertwasser, but a site-specific artwork that would ideally be featured on the future postcards of the city. Woningstichting Den Helder immediately understood the added value of a locally embedded design that would speak to the inhabitants of the city and at the same time would make a salute to the meister of Jugendstill. On behalf of WSDH, Arttenders acted as art consultant and art director in the trajectory of the Request for Proposal by suggesting the approach of the project and the selection procedure of suitable artists for this particular project.

Homage to the women of Den Helder

Arttenders invited Pepijn van de Nieuwendijk and Arno Coenen & Iris Roskam to create a site-specific concept whilst loosely taking in account the themes and philosophy of Hundertwasser.

Arno & Iris won the pitch based on their Homage to the Women of Den Helder Their sketch is based on the history of the City of Den Helder and its relation to the surrounding water. Faye helped them find the hidden stories of the city and brought them in contact with diverse ambassadors of the city that had lots of useful insight to define their concept. Women oftentimes stayed at home while their men were out at sea for months. Their homage therefore shows a woman of Den Helder, including the original design of the architect.