KAPKAR / CDH-2P2 – Frank Havermans (2012)
Realised art in public spaces
On the initiative of residents of the Groningen district Corpus den Hoorn, artist Frank Havermans designed a special meeting place cum work of art along the Hoornsedijk, which also forms part of the Pieterpad. To meet each other, talk and enjoy the view…
Artist Frank Havermans drew inspiration for his artwork from the various people who used this place. He saw that many people pass through there and move past each other. Haverman wants residents and passers-by to stop for a moment by his art and allow the possibility of chance encounters. The result: a ‘talking shop’. Havermans: “Talking shops have gradually disappeared over time, but I firmly believe that, alongside our modern communication techniques, the primal instinct to engage with other humans will never, ever truly disappear. So, I’m trying to reignite this passion for chatter with this talking shop!”
Talking Shop
The work of art cum meeting place offers several possibilities: at the bottom you can sit on the benches; via the shaft that rises upwards you can walk to the talking shop where you have a beautiful view over the Noord-Willemskanaal behind the dike. The aesthetic of Havermans’ ‘talking shop’ reflects the robust forms and sturdy materials used in shipping; elements that can also be found in the immediate surroundings. Some say it resembles a wheelhouse of the ships that sail the Noord-Willemskanaal. The material of the artwork also has a tough appearance that is in keeping with its surroundings: the lower part is made of concrete, whereas the upper ‘talking shop’ is made of raw steel.
Final phase
The first initiative for this work of art came from a wish of the local residents, who wanted more art in their area. The Nieuw Lokaal Akkoord* district team took up this wish with the local residents and contacted the CBK. We, in turn, embraced the commission and supervised it along with some residents of the district who were on the art committee.
The art committee consisted of Maria Beekman, Greet Ypema, Heleen van Wageningen, Cathrie de Haan (Corpus den Hoorn residents), Kees van Bohemen (landscape architect), Mari Boeijen (CBK art advisor) and Nicoline Wijnja (CBK Street Art Coordinator). Marieke Zomer attended the meetings on behalf of the Nieuw Lokaal Akkoord.
* Nieuw Lokaal Akkoord is a joint venture between the Municipality of Groningen and the housing associations.