The fish of Stavoren
“Stavoren once bore the stamp of the fisheries. Fishing and the fish trade are anchored in the city’s cultural memory and identity, even though the economic and social reality are different now.
That’s why I thought of fish in my exploration of the city, partly due to my own background in the port city of New Bedford. Just like Stavoren, this city is also trying to regain its oncedominant economic standing. The character of both cities is also formed around notable myths: the Lady of Stavoren for one and Moby Dick for the other. These traditions can fill the residents with pride, but they can also be a burden and keep the cities stuck in the past.
Delving into the ar…
The fish of Stavoren
“Stavoren once bore the stamp of the fisheries. Fishing and the fish trade are anchored in the city’s cultural memory and identity, even though the economic and social reality are different now.
That’s why I thought of fish in my exploration of the city, partly due to my own background in the port city of New Bedford. Just like Stavoren, this city is also trying to regain its oncedominant economic standing. The character of both cities is also formed around notable myths: the Lady of Stavoren for one and Moby Dick for the other. These traditions can fill the residents with pride, but they can also be a burden and keep the cities stuck in the past.
Delving into the art history, I found a pen drawing from the days when Stavoren was a thriving port city and it seemed to me to be perfect for Stavoren: Big Fish Eat Little Fish by Pieter Bruegel the Elder dated 1556. The strange beauty and power of this work of art was my inspiration for the Fish fountain for Stavoren. The huge head of the massive fish rises out of the basin and its open mouth gobbles up curious visitors to confront them inside with stories of Stavoren. The fountain encourages interaction and revolves around play, the grotesque and the carnivalesque. But it also refers to something a bit more serious – the feeling of having lost a true wonder.”
