'ZIEN' is a participatory art project created in the spring of 2022, a light installation in front of the Dutch Ministry of Finance- Den Haag. 'ZIEN' is created in five days from the cooperation between the robot arm KUKA LBR IIWA and humans. The robot engraves portraits of interested passers-by in mirrors on the square in front of the Ministry of Finance. These portraits are used to build the installation on the spot. 'ZIEN' examines the relationship we, as a society, want to have with technology. It created a collective visual reminder to stay out of the abstract.

INTERACTIVE PUBLIC ART /LIGHT INSTALLATION ZIEN is created in five days from the cooperation between the robot arm KUKA LBR IIWA and humans. The robot engraves portraits of interested passers-by in mirrors on the square in front of the Ministry of Finance. I used these portraits to build the installation on the spot. ZIEN examines the relationship that we, as a society, want to have with technology. This installation is the result of my artist-in-residency at the Dutch Ministry of Finance. The Kunstcommisie of the Ministry of Finance asked me to develop a work based on my experiences within and in relation to the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry is a place that quickly becomes an abstraction to the outside world. A building, an institute, an envelope, a name. In the same way, the outside world is abstracted within the walls of the Ministry. On both sides, I heard a need to be seen and heard within the bigger picture, especially in relation to the introduction and use of technology. We all know how things can go wrong when we lose sight of how technology is applied. I noticed within the ministry that the application of technologies is seen as something they have no influence on. It is something above them that they can not control. People find it hard to keep in touch with themselves, their sense of responsibility, and critical ethical thinking when working with a system. Therefore I created an artwork focused on the process rather than the result. With ‘ZIEN’, I provide a way to meet with each other and technology outside the walls of the ministry. I show the process openly. The mess it brings. The constant need to adapt to the process due to the circumstances and the sensitivity of the technology we are working with. The work has to demystify an artist’s work and the work with technology. I wanted people to be and feel needed in order to create this work. Via ‘ZIEN’, the possibility is created to meet the other, opening up the conversations around these themes from connection rather than opposition. Where we leave as a collective force, a very visible and tangible trace in front of the ministry’s main entrance reminds the inside and outside world of the Ministry of Finance that both sides are humans with a face and a life that needs to be considered and seen. ZIEN is an invitation to reflect and take responsibility. To keep seeing yourself and others. Sometimes it may seem that you are being absorbed in the vastness of the bigger whole. By keeping an eye on the details, you are able to remain seeing.

https://www.stenfertkroese.com/zien/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8qt7qeXsDc

None

Details

Building or project owner : Ministry of Finance Netherlands

Project artist/ concept/ design/ planning : Noor Stenfert Kroese

Light design : Noor Stenfert Kroese

Technical layout light : Noor Stenfert Kroese

Display content/ visuals/ showreel : Bashir Bastan

Light hardware (LED hardware) : Noor Stenfert Kroese

Project co-ordination : Molly Witmann

Interaction design/ programming : Amir Bastan

Descriptions

Facade type and geometry (structure) : The work 'ZIEN' consists of two phases. Phase one is creating the work 'ZIEN' with a robotic arm KUKA LBR IIWA. Phase two is the final work of multiple towers with portraits engraved on mirrors that has light from the inside. Dimensions 1 tower with mirrors 30x30x152 cm 2 towers with mirrors 30x30x182 cm 2 towers with mirrors 30x30x212 cm 2 waterproof electricity safety boxes

Kind of light creation : LED light inside the towers

Urban situation : Plantanenhof in front of the ministry of Finance NL.

Participatory architecture & urban interaction

Community or communities involved : Citizens of Den Haag Citizens of the Netherlands Ministry officials

Host organization : Ministry of Finance Netherlands

Issues addressed : ZIEN brings together diverse groups of people to collaboratively reflect on their role as citizens and their place in society. This includes participants from diverse backgrounds working in the Dutch Ministries and the general public. The installation makes space to experiment and share perspectives regarding the systems that rule society, such as technologies, governmental bodies and ruling laws. It questions the existing communication gaps between citizens and government and aims to bring in new perspectives on the role of technology in society and the need for responsible human supervision.

Mediacredits

Leo Veger

Marco de Bock

Leo Veger

Leo Veger

Leo Veger

Noor Stenfert Kroese

Amir Bastan

Noor Stenfert Kroese