‘Stories around the Millinxpark’

”Stories around the Millinxpark”, is a concept design for a permanent work of art in public space at the Tarwewijk in Rotterdam.

It was developed for the monumental fence around the Millinxpark, which is surrounded by residential buildings and forms a meeting place for people in the neighbourhood.

The diversity of the Tarwewijk residents and their stories serve as the primary inspiration for the artwork.

In the work, the stories of the residents are visualized in approximately 504 small metal silhouette contour ornaments that are anchored to the bars of the monumental fence.

The bars of the fence are optically transformed into “miniature pedestals” on which the small silhouette sculptures of the residents can be seen. In this way, the stories of the residents become visible in the neighborhood, and the residents are literally placed “on a pedestal”.

Both the individual stories and the mutual connections between the residents are visualized, shared and remembered.

Due to the height of the fence, the silhouettes interact with the surrounding environment—the air, plants, trees, and nearby houses.

‘Stories around the Millinxpark’ reflects the identity of the Tarwewijk and is a monument and tribute to the residents.

It provides a space for meeting, recognition, connection, and inspiration. The concept design was a collaboration between the Wijkcollectie foundation, Marjan Laaper and the residents of the Tarwewijk.