Search anything

Close search
Back to Programme Archive

(Archive) Bij leven

This project was part of DDW 2021
Bij leven, 'De kom van mijn hand', bronzen schaal — © Fotografie door Joeri Boelhouwer

I compare the relationship we have with the death to an airport where the dead are the passengers we wave goodbye.

Not just in death, but especially, 'In life'.

In the world of the living we don’t know how to connect with the dead. I compare it to an airport where the dead are the passengers we wave goodbye. Distanced from them, because the tube between the plane and the departure hall is missing. What we miss is a space in between life and death, to make the border softer.

My bronze works capture a moment in time. Handprints are turned into objects like handles, doorknobs, bowls or cufflinks. The person who imprinted these, comes closer through touch. A memoir in daily life. From dark to lighter with golden spots in between, the bronze shows as well the changing of time as the relationship from person to person. Dead or alive.

The making of a bronzen product is a personal proces, the bronze objects can be made from anyones hand. This makes them truly personal objects.
‘Bij Leven’ can’t be translated, but refers to a person in both life and death.

Bij leven, 'Deurgreep rechterhand', bronzen greep — © Fotografie door Joeri Boelhouwer

Bij leven, 'Vingertoppen', bronzen manchetknopen — © Fotografie door Joeri Boelhouwer

Bij leven, 'Gevouwen handen', kastknopje van brons — © Fotografie door Joeri Boelhouwer

Bij leven, 'Kraanvogels', bronzen deksels