Chapters

Chapters is a tile wall designed for the central hall of public elementary school De Burght in Amsterdam. Hundreds of students walk through this space every day. The tile wall portrays them as a group. Who are they? What goes on in their heads? What are important memories for them?

Chapters is composed of different elements: stenciled questions about what memories are, drawn self-portraits, written and illustrated memories and shadow images of children’s heads in different tones of blue. The artwork is a portrait of children developing their identities separately and together in the past, present and future.

The Burght is located in a number of historic buildings, old houses with a long history. Tiling walls with delft blue tiles is part of that history.

Chapters is a contemporary interpretation of this tradition. The accompanying artists used these tiles as building blocks for the composition. Then they added questions and shadow images.
In collaboration with: Maria Ikonomopoulou

DATA
Location: Public elementary school De Burght, Herengracht 34, Amsterdam
Material: Ceramic tiles, cobalt oxide and cobalt blue opglazes
Dimensions: 940 x 260 cm, 637 tiles (20 x 20 cm)
Clients: Amsterdam Fund for the Arts and Foundation Friends of OBS De Burght
Delivered: October 2004