We have been working hard on the preparations for the monumental work of art for some time now Sash by artist Ron van der Ende. The artwork is a wish from the residents' initiative Kunst op de Kop. This initiative is committed to the quality of life around the Voorschoterlaan metro station in Kralingen, which threatens to become cluttered. This summer, the outdoor space will be refurbished and Van der Ende will mount his artwork on the facade of an apartment complex on the corner of Voorschoterlaan and Oudedijk.
The bas-relief of a sash window (Sash in English) is greatly magnified and perspective distorted, making it stand out from the facade in a spectacular way. The facade is not denied, but completed with the open sculpture. The impressive construction refers in form and scale to a triumphal arch. The work is made from locally found timber from trees from the Kralingse Bos. This material is 'baked' again and preserved in such a way that it acquires a deep dark colour. The work of art establishes a connection between the old and the new by applying a classic window to a recent facade, executed in a traditional technique with natural materials.
Ron van der Ende: “Sash will be my first large outdoor relief. Normally I work with scrap wood, but that doesn't adapt well for outdoor use. I therefore choose to translate my technique into suitable materials for the outdoor area. In the search for a good idea with a link to the neighbourhood, I came across the sliding window. The sliding window is already present in the street with mainly monumental 19ecentury homes. By adding my design to the almost blind front facade, I refer to the existing architecture and at the same time to looking, breathing and dreaming (again)."
The facade belongs to a building by architect Wim Quist and is owned by housing corporation Woonstad Rotterdam, which supports the project. From a series of sketch assignments to artists, the residents chose Ron van der Ende. It is the first monumental work of art by Van der Ende in the public space of Rotterdam. BKOR led the selection process together with artistic advisor and visual artist Olphaert den Otter.