Work in progress: a studio visit to Olphaert den Otter
The site specific artwork for the Berlage Lyceum is becoming more and more impressive! In recent months, artist Olphaert den Otter continued to work on his series of murals for our renovation project of a secondary school in Amsterdam - the completion of the first phase is expected by the end of this year. In the meantime, we went to visit the studio again, and were deeply impressed by his work again.
For those who missed the previous blog posts, here's more information about the artwork and the project:
About Olphaert den Otter
As an artist, Olphaert den Otter is known for his commitment. For example, since 2009, he has been working on a series about the impact that humans have on the world, with the four elements as a starting point. At the same time, in his paintings, he also often focuses on natural phenomena that we (don't seem to) have any influence on (yet) — cloudy skies, the day, the night and the transitions between them.
With his work for the Berlage Lyceum, 'An Unforgettable Day', he responds to two existing frescoes in the building, but also reflects on the present. Over the four walls of the entrance hall there will be a frieze of cloudy skies that follows the course of the day, containing a number of tondos. In these tondos, Den Otter looks at the natural world, from the smallest to the largest level, from insect life to ocean currents. At the same time, he also takes a look at the downside of our activities — with burning zeppelins, blast furnaces, Amsterdam in a birds-eye view — and thus takes a closer look at our lives.
Two of the tondos are just about the future, about the students' dreams. This is how a layered work has been created that makes students think without making a direct judgment. At the same time, the work can also play a role in education, for example in art, geography or biology lessons.
About the Berlage Lyceum
The Berlage Lyceum is located in a monumental complex from 1924 that is part of Plan Zuid, and consists of two buildings in the style of the Amsterdam School. One of the main principles of this style was the connection between architecture and art, something that is reflected in the façade sculptures and stained glass windows, among other things. Two artists were also asked to make a mural; for the practical three-year-old HBS, Joop Sjollema painted an ode to work in 1929 — 'The Cycle of Seasons'; for the five-year trade school, Peter Alma chose the theme 'The Trade and Its Means of Transport' in 1932.
Both these murals are and will remain on display at their original locations - the halls on the first floor. But a renewed school — with different education and principles than in 1924 — also requires a new art assignment, a commission for a work of art from today. Den Otter's site-specific work is that in full.
Filmmaker Jeanne van der Horst is currently working on a documentary about Den Otter and this art project.
