FLORAL FOCUS
This project was developed as part of a conceptual design for a public artwork at a new cell complex for the Regional Police of Groningen. Although this design was never realized, the artwork was designed to be installed in an outdoor space, just within the boundary of the complex. The primary aim was to reduce visitors’ apprehension and to highlight the transparency of the institution.
The concept centered around monumental pinhole photographs of wildflowers strategically placed to be visible from a distance to visitors, employees, and passersby. Its purpose was to counter the negative perception many people have of a cell complex, a place often seen as a closed-off, unwelcoming world, an environment few wish to engage with.
The location itself contributed to this uninviting atmosphere, with the complex situated:
- next to a waste management facility
- very close to a busy highway
- near a business park
This made the area feel industrial and desolate, especially during weekends and after office hours when the nearby business park is empty.
Given this context, my goal was to bring an element of beauty from the outside world into the enclosed environment of the complex. The photos were taken within the secure grounds of a botanical garden, offering a contrast to the unattractive surroundings of the cell complex. The wildflowers depicted in the photos were intended to evoke a more positive, serene atmosphere, offering a moment of relief for those passing by.
The images were positioned facing the street, allowing them to be visible to pedestrians and motorists, contributing to a more inviting atmosphere of the cell complex. The ethereal quality of the photographs was meant to soften the perception of the complex, creating a sense of openness and peace.
Through this project, I aimed to transform a space that many associate with negativity into one that feels more approachable and humanized, offering a glimpse of nature and beauty even in an unlikely place.
