(Un)monumenting: Slackwater x Sunset in Amsterdam

From 16 January onwards, two new artworks can be seen at and from NDSM. The site specific installations include Slackwater by the British Holly Hendry installed on the Y-slope of NDSM, 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 programme (Un)monumenting, 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.

Sunset in Amsterdam x Mike Rijnierse & Ludmila Rodrigues

Sunset in Amsterdam subverts the iconic image of the sun sinking into the horizon as we know it from a day by the sea. Sunset in Amsterdam freezes the phenomenon of disappearance and makes it visible in 360 degrees for an extended period of time. 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.

About Mike Rijnierse & Ludmila Rodrigues

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.

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. Hendry uses 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 of steel pipes and cable coils to the maritime histories on NDSM. Placed on one of the ship ramps, the artist wants to make a physical translation of the 'intertwining' of bodies (made up largely of water), the water (the IJ), the city of 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.‍

About Holly Hendry

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.


Practical information

Slackwater by Holly Hendry died on the Y-slope of the NDSM shipyard (between Pllek and the Faralda crane) and can be seen from January 16 to March 31. Sunset is located in the water of the IJ in front of the Load-Out (large square next to Pllek) and can be seen Thursday to Sunday, from sunset until 11 pm, until February 16.