Mike Rijnierse and Ludmila Rodrigues: Sunset in Amsterdam
January 16–March 31, 2025
From January 16 onwards, two new artworks can be seen at NDSM—a 10 acre former shipyard functioning as a cultural public space programmed and cared for by Stichting NDSM-werf. The site specific installations include Slackwater by Holly Hendry, installed on one of NDSM’s ship ramps, and Sunset in Amsterdam by Mike Rijnierse & Ludmila Rodrigues, which looms on the water banks (IJ) from sunset until 11pm. Both artworks enter into a dialogue with the surrounding architecture, its relationship to the water and the changing urban context of the North of Amsterdam (and NDSM).
(Un)monumenting
The works are presented as part of the (Un)monumenting programme, where artists question the monumental nature of NDSM as a site. Monumental heritage, creativity, events and makers (several incubators at NDSM) all come together at NDSM. In response, we ask artists to explore what the specific character of the place means and could mean in the future to a city and its inhabitants.
Slackwater x Holly Hendry
For the adaptation of Slackwater at NDSM, Holly Hendry has interwoven a pipeline-system (found throughout NDSM) with the grounds and its history. The artist uses these metal pipes like the guts of a space, as a way to look at larger systems and the social fabric of a place or city. With Slackwater, Hendry connects these industrial materials to the maritime histories of NDSM. Placed on one of the ship ramps, there is a direct link to the water that suggests something is emerging or disappearing into the IJ river, just like the ships at the time. Hendry’s artwork is a response to the proximity of the IJ and the complex water network of which NDSM and Amsterdam are a part of. When speaking of watery systems, Hendry says: ‘streams of information, conversations and stories converge, come and go.’ At NDSM, the artist wants to make a physical translation of the ‘intertwining’ of bodies (made up largely of water), the water (the IJ), Amsterdam, and the urban landscape, on both a conceptual and visual level.
Slackwater is presented in an adapted form by Stichting NDSM-werf, 2024. It was originally commissioned by theCOLAB, The Artist’s Garden, London, 2023.
The work of British artist Holly Hendry is sculptural, monumental, playful and explores the back side of things. Hendry is concerned with what lives beneath the surface, from hidden underground spaces to the interior workings of the body.
Sunset x Mike Rijnierse & Ludmila Rodrigues
Sunset in Amsterdam subverts the iconic image of the sun sinking into the horizon. Sunset in Amsterdam freezes the phenomenon of disappearance and makes it visible in 360 degrees for an extended period of time. The artwork invites the viewer to reflect on time and image production, challenging the urge to capture images and share them online. By placing it in an urban context where the horizon is no longer visible, the work questions in what way NDSM and Amsterdam can keep open spaces for contemplation and for maintaining perspective on the city and world.
Mike Rijnierse and Ludmila Rodrigues have been working together since 2011. They share a fascination for the ways in which human perception is formed. Their works encourage audiences to navigate and relearn how to see, hear, and feel with all their senses.
(Un)monumenting: Slackwater x Sunset in Amsterdam is curated by Petra Heck & Ewa Scheifes.
Future programming 2025
Afaina de Jong: Kinship Library, May–October 2025
Hector Zamora icw Vão Architects: new site specific installation, July 2025
Lily van der Stokker: new site specific installation, September 2025
About Stichting NDSM-werf
Stichting NDSM-werf curates and takes care of the monumental outdoor space of NDSM as a cultural wharf where character, creative experimentation and polyphony are central. The foundation develops and presents site-specific installations and artworks by and with artists, designers and architects. More information at ndsm.nl
Supported by: Amsterdam Fund for the Arts, Mondriaan Fund
