PRESS AND IMAGES
Welcome to my press page. Press material (press releases, thumbnail press gallery) related to new artworks, prints, collaborations and exhibitions can be found on this page. The files and High Resolution media can be downloaded through links at the bottom of each project.
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PROJECTS
Viriditas (rocking chairs: SURVIVE YOURSELF, PERPETUATE THE SPECIES, UNBURDEN THE EARTH) by Birgit Verwer, 2021
About ‘Viriditas’
When it comes to our host, planet earth, do you think that you are being a good guest? Like any living organism, we are programmed for two things only; preserving the individual and preserving the species. Can we get past our brain’s programming to contain our human impact on the Earth and its fragile balance? Taking immediate action is often partly responsible for the problem itself. ‘Taking a step back’ can provide a more in-depth insight.
“Viriditas” comes from the Latin words for “GREEN” and “TRUTH”. (Hildegard von Bingen, 12th century AD)
The locally sourced oak wood used for the three chairs is sustainably sawn by wind at national monument wind sawmill ‘De Salamander’
Short text (p.e. social media)
Viriditas (SURVIVE YOURSELF, PERPETUATE THE SPECIES, UNBURDEN THE EARTH) by Birgit Verwer, 2021
When it comes to our host, planet earth, do you think that you are being a good guest?
Like all other living organisms we are programmed for two things only; perpetuate the individual and perpetuate the species. We also know that our brain can’t handle and oversee a time span of more than 70 years.
Is our programmed brain capable of acting on the global issues that can no longer be ignored?
Three design-classic chairs turned into rocking chairs that invite you to take a seat.
Do we still have time for that or should we make time? Do we soothe our souls or allow ourselves to think about what is really being asked of us?
‘Viriditas’ is a reminder of the importance of our connection to nature and comes from the Latin words for ‘GREEN’ and ‘TRUTH’. (Hildegard von Bingen, 12th century AD)
Technical sheet:
The chair I have used as a base for the ‘Viriditas’ rocking chairs is a design-classic, the Sedia 1 by Enzo Mari (1932-2020) from the Autoprogettazione (proposal for Self-Design and democratization of design) series.
The Sedia 1 is a do-it-yourself design from 1974, with which Mari aims to re-evaluate the process of making and the design process itself.
Open Source design, avant-la-lettre, which can feel more ‘valuable’ because you make and assemble it yourself.
Mari questioned design, preferred functionality above comfort while holding an aversion to decoration and trends. Design that lasts, for the many and not the few.
His aim, design based on long duration, not wasting any resources. His mission was always to liberate the world from short-term-ism. Mari also stated that design could never be not political. His queries remain topical and urgent to this day.
The Sedia 1 chair is fitted with a curved base and a framework supporting wooden text in my own handwriting. Turning the three Sedia 1 chairs into rocking chairs. With the additions I made, I tried not to affect the integrity of Mari’s design. The ‘Viriditas’ rocking chairs are made of a leftover batch of local oak wood.
Dimensions, materials and finishing:
Dimensions individual rocking chairs:
Height 300 cm
Width 125-140 cm
Depth 91 cm
Eco hardwax finish on oak wood
Wooden letters in water-based black paint
Local oak wood:
Sustainably sawn by wind at national monument wood sawmill De Salamander in Leidschendam, The Netherlands. The curved base and framework are made of the same batch of locally sourced and wind sawn oak wood from the The Hague and Leidschendam area.
The logs come from the The Hague region, including Royal Estate De Horsten in Wassenaar, the Netherlands.
Cut to size by:
Miller Rick Vermeulen of De Salamander and craftswoman Marjet Röling
Technical & constructional support:
Marjet Röling
Editorial text
ART INSTALLATION – Viriditas (SURVIVE YOURSELF, PERPETUATE THE SPECIES, UNBURDEN THE EARTH) by Birgit Verwer, 2021
About ‘Viriditas’
Historian David Christian, shows that man is unable to see beyond his own shadow, more or less a time period of some 70 years. Gathered from all possible scientific disciplines, he has proven that no other species on earth has more influence on the state of the earth itself than humans do.
Why do we as humanity fail to behave like temporary guests on this planet? There seem to be no unequivocal answers. The signals are there, scientific reports, books, documentaries and natural disasters are everywhere. A radically different approach is necessary globally. With national and global politics aimed at periods of only a few years, thinking across generations remains very difficult and cooperation on a global level is almost a utopia.
Gert Holstege, a renowned neuroscientist, taught me that his scientific discipline sees our human brain as a computer. Like any living organism, we are programmed for two things only; preserving the individual and preserving the species. Can we get past our brain’s programming to contain our human impact on the Earth and its fragile balance?
From an anthropological angle it is precisely the attitude of immediately coming up with a solution when a problem presents itself. Taking immediate action is often partly responsible for the problem itself. ‘Taking a step back’ can provide a more in-depth insight. But do we still have time for that or should we make time for it? Do we soothe our souls or allow ourselves to think about what is really being asked of us?
“Viriditas” is a reminder of the importance of our connection to nature and comes from the Latin words for “GREEN” and “TRUTH”. (Hildegard von Bingen, 12th century AD)
Image Index sheet
DOWNLOADS Viriditas
Irenic – Birgit Verwer x Cor Unum Ceramics
present the series:
Irenic
My art anchored in a century-old craft, with a series of five new art pieces. In collaboration with the experts at Cor Unum ceramics in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NL) we developed a vase, inspired by the form of vase I worked with during my artist in residency in China.
Only through the close collaboration with, and the work ethics and values of the people at Cor Unum, my new series of Irenic* vases came to be.
*Irenic: aiming at peace; from the Greek word ‘eirene’ (peace)
Short text (p.e. social media)
Irenic vases
– in collaboration with Cor Unum Ceramics –
Making ceramics is a craft and one of the oldest art forms in the world. The first painted and decorated vases from far before our era give us an idea of the daily life of that time.
The fact that we have this knowledge is due to the almost indestructible nature of pottery. It may break into shards, but will survive the test of time. It can withstand the elements and the harshest conditions.
What if our pottery turns up at an archaeological site hundreds of years from now?
What will future generations learn about us?
In the series ‘Irenic’, contemporary personal and social issues are both title and work of art.
In my work I make use of existing materials, shapes and objects trouvés. The titles of my artworks are always as important as the artwork itself.
During my artist-in-residence in China, I found a fitting vase among hundreds of different existing shapes and moulds, which could be both a medium and a carrier of my art, which caused title and the work itself to become symbiotic.
In the series “Irenic”, contemporary personal and social issues are both title and the work of art.
‘Irenic’ series:
HEAVEN IS ON YOUR RIGHT
YOUR TRUTH OR MINE
NEVER EVER FIT THE MOULD
ALMOST DOESN’T COUNT
MAKE NATURE GREAT AGAIN
Earthenware, 2021, H41 X W34 X D9
About Cor Unum Ceramics
Cor Unum is a ceramic art centre founded and based in ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. They produce ceramics designed by leading international designers, architects and visual artists. Cor Unum takes social and cultural resposibility for the legacy of the ceramic crafts.
Cor Unum Ceramics’ mission is brought to the market through a team consisting of professionals, students, volunteers, people with distance from the labour market and designers.
They all share one common passion: everyone deserves a place, everyone has got a talent and anyone can contribute to make the world somewhat nicer.
DOWNLOADS Irenic
LAUNCH ARTIST BOOK
ENCOMPASS by Birgit Verwer, 2021
I decided not to make art for a few years. Instead I’ve used this time to do extensive research on matters which are close to my heart.
From questioning “the norm” and the constructs of our society to the problems we are facing on a global scale, for example our climate. September 27th of 2019 I’ve joined the last big Climate Strike in the Netherlands before COVID-19 hit. The pandemic, two major Dutch lockdowns and the way the government and society devalue the arts made it clearer than ever, I felt the urgency to make art again.
2021 started with my collaboration with Cor Unum Ceramics in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands, resulting in a series of five Irenic vases. The same shape of vase with five different texts;
- HEAVEN IS ON YOUR RIGHT
- YOUR TRUTH OR MINE
- NEVER EVER FIT THE MOULD
- ALMOST DOESN’T COUNT
- MAKE NATURE GREAT AGAIN
Viriditas
My new triptych art installation ‘Viriditas’ of three rocking chairs with texts, was part of the renowned Dutch Big Art Amsterdam exhibition September 29 – October 3 at Zaanstad by curator Anne van der Zwaag.
It was due time for an artist book. In my book I am taking you on a tour through my brain, my soul, my inspiration, my artistic process and my new artworks; the series Irenic in collaboration with Cor Unum Ceramics and my triptych art installation Viriditas.
click image to see more
ENCOMPASS
Artist book
by Birgit Verwer
Limited edition of 100
48 pages on wood-free, acid-free and chlorine-free produced paper
risograph print cover
ISBN: 9 789 090 352 404
H23 x W15.7 × D1.2 cm
ABOUT BIRGIT VERWER
Birgit Verwer lives and works in The Hague (NL)
Royal Academy of Art [KABK], Fine Arts, The Hague
Birgit Verwer’s art practice incorporates installations, sculptures, performances, ceramics and prints – an amalgamation of the big questions in life with less serious matter.
Since 2010 exhibiting artworks and installations in solo, duo and group exhibitions.
Amongst others at the Verbeke Foundation in Belgium, Livingstone gallery in The Hague, gallery Sebastiaan Brandl in Cologne, Villa Zebra museum in Rotterdam (supported by the Mondriaan Foundation), PAN Amsterdam and Pulse Art Fair New York.
Works included in corporate and private collections a.o. in the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, China, United States.
Artist-in-residencies in Dehua, China and Berlin, Germany.
