Marieke Van Diepen

Sandtunnel Home

The Netherlands, 2010

Necklace

Materials:

concrete + sand, silver

Techniques:

The concrete-sand shapes where made in a

wooden mould, the silver chain is soldered

Dimension in cm:

10.5 x 8.5 x 6.2

Artist Statement:

When I got a well-considered tour through

Israel/Palestine there was one visual story

that stuck to my mind as an image for this

extreme complex situation where the

solution is even more complex.

I see the piece as a symbol for personal

stories that are happening on both sides of

the wall.

Many Palestinian houses that are situated

close enough to the wall are sooner or later

launched for the cause of the homeland.

The family who owners the place is told to

continue their lives in the way they used to

while the army begins digging a tunnel

which starts in their home. The tunnel is

going to be an underground road to the

other side of the wall.

But because the Israeli army shouldn’t

notice anything from above, the sand that

is coming out of the tunnel is stored in the

house. So slowly the family will get less and

less space to live.

The concrete pieces together portray home

filled with sand, and the reduced space for

living..

The chain connects all the rooms by a hole

through every shape, altogether

symbolizing the tunnel, in expectation for a

better life.

What was your starting point or your

inspiration for doing this project?

I don’t aim to make a political statement.

Do you have a personal (or other)

connection to the exhibition’s theme?

I am realizing that I am one of the lucky

people who is born in a very save and

peaceful situation, where the political

situation is not structurally interfering with

my personal life and dreams.

What were the main reasons for choosing

the materials, shapes or technique in your

work?

The mix of concrete and sand is a solid

material that comes closes to the

appearance of sand. For the chain I chose

silver because it’s the most obvious material

for a chain and because of that I will not

raise the question why, the emphases is on

the concrete-sand room-shapes.

What kind of feeling you wish the viewers

will get from your work?

Awareness of these kind of personal

stories.

If you could give your Jewelry to an

important figure in the Middle East who

will he/she be? and why?

I don’t want to give this piece to someone

from the Middle East.'

Personal information:

personal website:

www.mariekevandiepen.com

www.athometown.com

www.opplakdeuren.nl

www.hoelahoepel.nl

Inspiring artists:

Many, Most recent discovery is

PaulVillinsky

Top 3 materials:

Paper, ink, imagination

If I wasn’t an artist what profession would I

choose?

Neuro science

My dream is

to build my own house