I know how feels to strive for something beautiful

2007  - Groenoord Zuid - Schiedam. This commission was issued in the context of the restructuring of Groenoord-Zuid. Part of it was to explore how residents could feel more connected to their neighbourhood and give it more identity. I talked to the residents and especially their children for whom I taught some workshops. A group of three young people  - Reflex - made music, they wrote a song about the neighbourhood that we recorded on a CD that was released. A child Iman always came to my workshops and visibly enjoyed it, she became the face of the neighbourhood for me, I modeled her and her sculpture was cast in bronze.

The title of the song composed by Reflex about the neighbourhood: 'I know how it feels to strive for something beautiful' was placed as text in the existing street; coloured paving stones laid in the central road.

Reflex is Smajl and Adnan Kurti and Calvin Fonseca. Smajl writes a rap about the neighbourhood: 'I know how it feels'. Together they set it to music.

The rap was released in mid-April 2007.

Reflex is Smajl and Adnan Kurti and Calvin Fonseca. Smajl writes a rap about the neighbourhood: 'I know how it feels'. Together they set it to music.

The rap was released in mid-April 2007.

Songtext

I know how it feels to strive for something beautiful
Everybody in this neighbourhood, everybody in this life
Every one feels at home

All of us together here in Groenoord-Zuid

I know how it feels to strive for something beautiful
Good results that what we count on
Young or old, it doesn't matter!

Pietje Tegenbosch wrote about this commission

The sculpture was realised first in clay to be casted in bronze. It was placed on a field near the houses where a neighbour took care of it. Iman was en still is really proud of the sculpture.

Sculpture in clay in my studio,  from a girl from the hood, Iman Adaiie, when she was ten years old

Sculpture of Iman Adaiie, kid from the hood, life-size in bronze

Sculpture in clay in my studio,  from a girl from the hood, Iman Adaiie, when she was ten years old

Sculpture of Iman Adaiie, kid from the hood, life-size in bronze

Performance by Reflex during the opening

Photos taken during the development of the commission, during the workshops with the neighborhood children, during the recordings with Reflex and their performance during the opening. Finally inlaying the text in stones in the existing street pattern.