Sic transit gloria mundi
Sic transit gloria mundi
Sic transit gloria mundi, construction site
Sic transit gloria mundi, construction site
Sic transit gloria mundi
Sic transit gloria mundi, timeline
Sic transit gloria mundi, construction site
Sic transit gloria mundi, animation
Sic transit gloria mundi, gift shop
Sic transit gloria mundi
Sic transit gloria mundi, construction site
Sic transit gloria mundi, construction site
Sic transit gloria mundi
A construction site in the centre of the city serves as a model for a world in transition, where ideas about power and control begin to shift. A billboard announces the construction of a “monument to the fall of Western hegemony”. Tall wooden fencing separates the building site from the city. It’s an invasive gesture, the city’s people are shut out. A feeling that is amplified by posters in Arabic, Russian and Chinese.
From the visitor centre on the building site one can see the purported building plans. The design, a monumental marble statue of a fallen Caucasian male, ties in with the discussion about historical statues as a symbol of Western imperialism. The only tangible indication of the monument is a gigantic white hand that is continually moved around the site.
A construction site in the centre of the city serves as a model for a world in transition, where ideas about power and control begin to shift. A billboard announces the construction of a “monument to the fall of Western hegemony”. Tall wooden fencing separates the building site from the city. It’s an invasive gesture, the city’s people are shut out. A feeling that is amplified by posters in Arabic, Russian and Chinese.
From the visitor centre on the building site one can see the purported building plans. The design, a monumental marble statue of a fallen Caucasian male, ties in with the discussion about historical statues as a symbol of Western imperialism. The only tangible indication of the monument is a gigantic white hand that is continually moved around the site.
Video
Sic transit gloria mundi (2018)
Sic transit gloria mundi (2018) Architectural impression
Press
"The construction site is a metaphor for a joint imagination of our future"
Luuk Heezen spoke with Dries in a Mr. Motley radioshow at the festival center (25-05-2018)See the interview here (in Dutch)
"Amazing to see how the GeenStijl reader so accurately vocalises the fears Verhoeven conjures up with such ingenuity. How would the reader feel to know that he’s the very person who gives this artwork its power?"
'How GeenStijl readers impart this artwork with its value. Proposition: we owe GeenStijl a big thank you' ('Hoe GeenStijl-reaguurders dit kunstwerk zijn waarde verlenen. Stelling: we mogen GeenStijl ook weleens dankbaar zijn') by Herien Wensink in De Volkskrant(24 May 2018).Read the column (in Dutch)
"The artwork forces us to see that we can’t continue living our so-called comfortable little lives as decadent, complacent, brash-mouthed individuals. Because then, we’ll be wiped out."
'Sic Transit Gloria Mundi'. Ben van den Burg in his podcast voor BNR Radio (25 May 2018).Listen / read his podcast (in Dutch)
"Verhoeven invites us to reflect on our ‘new’ position in the world, succeeding largely through his irony, playful approach."
'A playful way of seeing something from a different angle' ('Speelse prikkels om dingen eens anders te zien') bySander Hiskemuller inTrouw(23 May 2018).Read the article (in Dutch)
"This intervention’s subtlety is captured in these details (…) the contrast on the Neude is shocking. Beyond the walls we caught a glimpse of the well-off café clientele enjoying drinks on the terrace while within those walls we witnessed the quiet concentration of the men working the building site. The world of now in a nutshell."
'The world of now in a nutshell'('De wereld in een notendop') by Moos van den Broek for Theaterkrant.nl (26-05-2018).Read the review (in Dutch)
"A cordoned-off construction site and information sign is all Verhoeven needs to confront a segment of the population with their own hatred and deepest fears."
'GeenStijl falls for Dries Verhoeven’s cunning provocation' ('Geenstijl trapt in gehaaide provocatie van Dries Verhoeven.') by Wijbrand Schaap onCultureelpersbureau.nl(22 May 2018).Read the article (in Dutch)
background and public reception
Resistance to the work popped up online – there were objections to the public space being used, plus readers’ comments (including outrage at the sight of Arabic language on a billboard) – mostly from sections of the more radical right. But articles critiquing the opposition were also in evidence. Here are links to some of the weblogs and sites:
‘Arabic text in 030 celebrates the murder of Fortuyn’ – Geen Stijl
Read here (in Dutch)
‘Dries Verhoeven’s theatre piece on a city square in Utrecht makes you wonder who owns the public space. Private parties or society?’ – George Knight
Read here (in Dutch)
‘These cheeky artworks made people angry’ – CJP
Read here (in Dutch)
‘Utrecht: Artwork celebrates the Demise of the Fatherland and Advent of Islam!’ – Journalistenwatch
Read here (in German)
‘Monument in celebration of the decline of Western culture’ – US Message Board
Read here
Credits
production Studio Dries Verhoeven
dramaturgy Hellan Godee
animation JA arquitectura
artistic assistance / internship Alex Avgud, Tanja Becher, Tammie Kang & Marte Boneschansker
3D model Persi Ioannidou
scale model Studio Roel Huisman
gypsum team Pénélope Hémon, Nadine Westveer-De Mul, Anastasia Polychronidou
construction site Arthur van der Laaken, Peer Thielen & Francois Duquesnoy
video Thorsten Alofs
Many thanks to Man met de Hamer (Maarten Smids)
Sic transit gloria mundi was co-commissioned by SPRING Performing Arts Festival.