Artwork Data

Title

Molenpoort

Artist

Marijke Gémessy, Theo ten Have

Year

2005

Material

hardsteen, brons, keramiek

Artwork Location

Address

Ketelstraat, Den Haag

City district

Laak

GPS data

52.062440113256, 4.3357552115006 View on map

Artwork Description

Text

The assignment given to Marijke Gémessy and Theo ten Have was to design a work of art for Ketelstraat that would have to do with water. This was in view of the important role of the Laak in this area. The two artists were not only guided by this fact, but also by the multiculturalism of the neighbourhood.

Gémessy and Ten Have worked together for this occasion. Not surprisingly. Both have been living and working at Westeinde for a long time; Ten Have in art building Spanjaarsdshof, Gémessy ran her gallery Kera-Moz there for years.

Even more important will have been the similarities in their work. Ten Have as a sculptor and Gémessy as a ceramist each have a strong feeling for colour and material. Ten Have often uses flowing, organic forms: abstract but in such a way that you often see figures in them. His best-known work is the 'Gay Monument' on the King's Tunnel near the Central Station. Gémessy is known for her vases in which she incorporated found shards: particularly colourful and often with neon elements.

The result of their collaboration is this gate made of Belgian bluestone. The contours refer to the Laakmolen, but the design and subtle mosaic decorations are also reminiscent of Islamic architecture. The water is represented by two bronze 'waves' that 'ripples' through the gate. According to the artists, waves symbolise man and fellow man: they are themselves, but together they go on the road. The word 'NYING-JE' chiselled into the stone emphasises this message. This term, which is derived from Tibetan Buddhism, can be translated as 'the feeling of solidarity with others'.

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