The installation draws on the past of Luxembourg City as a fortress; elements of historical military scenario's were isolated and turned into positive scenario's of use.
A 'war game' discovered at the 'Musée de l'histoire de la ville' was the trigger in the design process. The game illustrates the cleverness of strategic military thinking: a largest possible number of complex situations (forced retirement, siege, skirmish, sham attack, ambush) are foreseen on paper and integrated in the shape of the defence lines.
"While using the visual vocabulary and the terminology of this warlike architecture, the installation seeks to divert the defensive-aggressive mindset embedded in such structures into a generous principle. Ideas of withdrawal, protection and defence that are conveyed by these forms are here replaced with positive notions such as hospitality and conviviality. The fortified becomes a fortifier, located in a strategically beneficial place."
(adaptation of the article by Clément Minighetti for the catalogue of the exhibition)
- Brief Interactive installation for 'Sous les ponts, le long de la rivière II'
- Work Concept, design, production coordination
- Media Recycled Oregon wood, nails, clay, wood carving
- Construction Erik Bakker, Paul Nijland
- Commissioner MUDAM museum, Luxembourg
- Year 2005 (summer)