Bouke Ylstra Untitled (graphic wall) (1966)

Stadhuis metro station has access on both sides of the Coolsingel. On the side of Stadhuisplein, a 'graphic wall' has been installed between the stairs, designed by artist Bouke Ylstra. Works that Ylstra made for a built environment followed as much from his free work as from the situation in construction. This wall has much of the spontaneous nervous 'writing' that characterizes his etchings from that period. The artist was first asked about the assignment in April 1964. However, in January 1965 it was decided that no art would be added to this station. In December of the same year, Ylstra was commissioned. Lines are etched into panels, polished to a mirror finish by the artist himself, and filled with a deep black paint based on a two-component glue. They form two configurations that have something like shapes. The line writing has playfully taken on forms that cannot be precisely named, but are evocative. With their thin power and detail, they are reminiscent of human or robot figures as well as schematic floor plans and lifting cranes, energy and circuits. The main shapes of the figures placed on the left and right sides are determined by thick lines, which are filled in and supplemented with thinner lines and a few black areas. Each configuration extends to the other like an arm ending in a pointed branch. The spiers almost touch each other in the middle panel. The wall receives diffuse light from fluorescent tubes and light tiles in the ceiling and daylight through the stairs. Unfortunately, there are still strangers who give in to the urge to add something to the performance.