Artist Cindy Bakker is devastated that the artwork she designed together with Amstelveen children has been destroyed. This concerns the child-friendly work of art ‘De Bal’ in the Middenhoven neighborhood park. The artwork was festively unveiled less than two months ago.
‘The Ball’ consists of nine yellow balls in different sizes. The municipality had asked Cindy to design a child-friendly work of art and she was inspired by Amstelveen children.
They provided frequent input when the artist was busy making various designs. She took games that children play outside as a starting point and came up with two designs. Amstelveen residents ultimately preferred ‘The Ball’ over ‘The Game.’
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According to Alderman Raat, art in public spaces is always vulnerable, but the destruction caused is ‘sad and useless’. “We are going to fix this as quickly as possible, hopefully it will remain just this one time. Because in the south of Amstelveen there is little art in public space.”
Yet it is the second time in a short time that art in public spaces in Middenhoven has fallen prey to vandals. In August last year, the artificial cow was installed at the roundabout of the Gondola and the Dr. Willem Dreesweg was smeared and defaced twice. The cow has now returned to its colorful palette – a symbol of the diversity of the Amstelveen population.
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Although Cindy already has several works of art to her name, this is the first time that a work of hers has been vandalized. “This has never happened before,” says the artist, affected.
After a conversation with the municipality, she is a little more optimistic. “We will quickly sit down to resolve this.” The costs for the restoration of her artwork will be borne by the municipality, she says.