Installation and performance (2005)

I made a flag of 200 square meters that was put in the crane at the NDSM-wharf. Every day the festival took place I raised it. Since it was too heavy I needed help from the audience.
Some people didn’t want to make my job easier because of various reasons: one of being pro-Europe, one of being afraid to be accused of nationalist sentiments.
Next to the installation and performance I screened the video VLAG about the presence of the Dutch flag in Dutch society.
This project was my exampiece for the Sandberg Institute, the postgraduate art program related to the Rietveld academy in Amsterdam. Texts, in Dutch, by members of the committee: art critic Sacha Bronwasser and artist Jan Dietvorst

Location: NSDM-wharf, Over Het IJ festival in Amsterdam
Period: 6-17 July 2005
Curator: Véronique Hoedemakers
Realisation: Ivo Verburg, Hans Josso, Alet Santman, Govert Reeskamp, Su Tomesen
Thanks to: Jules Grommers, Taco Douglas, JdJ - Jorise de Jong, Textielfabrieken Van Puijenbroek, Kalf Amsterdam, Zeilmakerij Koster, Van den Broek Kraanservice
Photos: René den Engelsman and visitor Ralph Stuyver

Press:
“Enorme Nederlandse vlag de lucht in tijdens Over Het IJ festival”, frontpage Metro Amsterdam

In Dutch now: enkele publieksreacties
- Leefbaarrotterdam.com
- Ik ben blij dat dit niet 'echt' is maar dat ik hier sta in een kunstcontext....
- Als je mij had gevraagd de vlag te hijsen, had ik 'nee' gezegd, ik hijs alleen de Europese vlag!
- Indrukwekkend overheersende vlag. Zet aan tot denken. Ook door mensen die niet op het festival zijn. Valt dat nou wel of niet onder publieksbereik?
- Laat de vlag maar rafelen....
- Wat enig om mee te mogen helpen!

Watch the video-documentation of the performance (coming soon)

Watch the making of the installation (coming soon)