To content

I WAS HERE – Margriet van Weenen

Temporary art in public spaces

I WAS HERE In search of the polar wind, between waters is a monument to the landscape. Artist Margriet van Weenen developed this installation especially for Noorderzon. The starting point of the work is the painting Das Eismeer by Caspar David Friedrich from 1823-1824. In her own way, Van Weenen deconstructs this work of art and investigates connections between the period in which Das Eismeer was made, the present and the future. Themes that are addressed are ecological mourning, activism and time.

In the video below, Margriet talks about her project and how she went about it:

Step into the Installation

Become part of the artwork. Wrap the blue cape around you, put on headphones and travel through time. Our employees will be happy to help you with this:

  • Monday – Friday from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m
  • Saturday + Sunday from from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Admission and participation are free. You will find I WAS HERE In search of the polar wind, between waters during Noorderzon from 22 to 1 September in the Noorderplantsoen, at the place where the Moesstraat and the Kruissingel intersect.

Artist talks

Would you like to know more about Margriet’s artwork in the Noorderplantsoen? Then come to one of the artist talks she gives, in which she tells you more about her creative process and the themes in her work. She also answers all your questions:

Dates and times of artist talks:

  • Saturday 24 August | 4.30 p.m.
  • Thursday 29 August | 4.30 p.m.
  • Friday 30 August | 4.30 p.m.
  • Saturday 31 August | 4.30 p.m.
  • Sunday 1 September | 4.30 p.m.

About Margriet van Weenen

Margriet van Weenen (1983) graduated in 2006 from Academie Minerva with a degree in Autonomous Visual Arts. In 2009, she obtained her master’s degree in advanced painting from the Frank Mohr Institute. In her recent work, she focuses on making the vulnerability of nature palpable.

Credits

Credits
I WAS HERE In search of the polar wind, between waters is an artwork by Margriet van Weenen, commissioned by Kunstpunt Groningen for Noorderzon. This project was also made possible by:

  • Coach: Bouke Groen
  • Vocals: Renske de Boer
  • Editing: Bonne Villestudio Leeuwarden
  • Capes: Dymph Dressen from Naaiatelier Dress en Les
  • Screen printing capes: Willemijn Overmars from Het Zeefdrukkerijtje
  • Map: Riso Letterpress Minerva
  • Billboard installation: Wouter Elzinga
  • Monument installation: Lawand Zaza

Kunstpunt Groningen has been developing artworks for the Noorderzon Festival for many years. With these commissions, Kunstpunt and Noorderzon aim to provide promising Groningen artists with a platform to present themselves to a large audience.