Geef niet om hem maar aan
hem
2004, Rotterdam
The neon sculpture Geef
niet om hem maar aan hem is located at the church of
st Paul in the centre of Rotterdam. The translation of the
neon in English: Don’t care about him, but give
to him.
The direct motive for it was an anti-begging campaign conducted
by the city of Rotterdam in 2003/4. The slogan of that campaign
was: 'Geef om hem, niet aan hem!' The translation in English:
'Care about him, but don’t give to him!'
The suggestion is that by assisting the authorities (churches,
shelters, Salvation Army) and not giving money to beggars
directly, the beggars would be better of. They would be
forced to undergo therapy to treat their addiction/illness.
In the ads carrying the slogan the beggars were portrayed
as ‘lesser’ people in need of therapy, harassing
us 'the normal' audience.
In reality, the campaign turned out to be an excuse for
tougher action against beggars and repression. Most of the
beggars/junkies ended up in jail without any treatment.
The church of st Paul is a church that is highly involved
in the relief and sheltering of junkies, beggars and vagabonds.
A direct answer is given to the occasion by reversing the
meaning. In this sense it is an image against an image(ry),
a symbol against a symbol(ism).
Sentence
Apart from the occasion, it is a curious and poetic sentence.
The sentence may at first glance appear to be insensible,
unfeeling and harsh because an appeal is made not to be
emotionally involved. At second glance it appears to be
admitting for giving anyway, to sustain some sort of social
cohesion.
Because the neon is placed on the wall of a church (an institution
of moral meaning) , this twofold meaning becomes more poignant.
Furthermore, the Him in the sentence can refer
to God, it then almost turns into an openhearted selfreflection
on religious practise.
By choosing the form of neon
for this message, a competition arises with the commercial
advertisements in the cities scenery. The sentence appears
to be part of the everyday, normal fabric but it expresses
a different content, has a different origine and objective.
By placing an expression with a different message in this
urban landscape, an infringement is made on what is usually
considered as normal, thus emphasising the character of
this daily fabric.
The neon sculpture is since 2004 located on the church of
st Paul.
Financial support:
CBK, Rotterdam (Center Visual Arts Rotterdam)
Fonds Beeldende Kunsten, Vormgeving en Bouwkunst, Amsterdam
St Paulschurch, Rotterdam
Private funding
