‘Resurface Rotterdam’ is an installation artwork and artist publication about the origins of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The artwork contains a wave of hanging glass sculptures in the shape of a punter (small, narrow wooden boat). The objects depict an archeological excavation of a boat that was sunk over 750 years ago during the construction of the Dam, the start of Rotterdam as a maritime city. ‘Resurface Rotterdam’ hence presents glass replicas of this punter (in various sizes) filled with water from different parts of the river, which also gives an interesting reflection on the exhibition space.
The smalles sculptures contain water from the origin in Moerkapelle where the river nowadays start. From a more rural part of the Netherlands the water runs into the Rottemeren (lakes) and continues to the city centre via Hilligersberg. The biggest sizes contain water from the official ending place of the river Rotte in Rotterdam.
The complementing artist publication gives, from an archaeological perspective an insight in the history, the punter and the contemporary artwork. It gives a new dimension on the artistic research. Early 90s the Dam (where the name of the city was derived from) the archeological discovery of the punter was found. Deep in the construction site the Willemsspoortunnel this sensational excavation was done, as the boat was complete and in tact. The boat was used to close the last gap during the construction of the Dam. The ship wood also reveals when the city was established. This became the starting point of my inter-disciplinary project ‘Resurface Rotterdam’ in which this unknown story and history of the origin of the city is taken to the surface. On top of the Dam the first citizens built their houses. From medieval drainage locks the city developed to a maritime city.
The punter is restored and together with the contemporary artwork and the artist publication it shows the centuries old connection between Rotterdam, shipping and watermanagement. From medieval drainage locks to the newest rain radars and smart roofs.
The installation ‘Resurface Rotterdam’ is part of an ongoing art project called ‘Bodies of Water’ (2019-ongoing) in which Gwen van den Bout researches the connections between the aquatic challenges of our current climate, transformed landscapes and (intangible) heritage. In this project she literally captures water in mouth-blown glass sculptures. In this way the sculptures immortalise water as a time capsule and become archeological objects of the future. Together with moving images and audio she translates historical, present-day and future stories into multidisciplinary art installations.
