Clave (Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Clave (Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Subject (Topic)
Slavery
Middle Passage
Transatlantic Slave Trade
Slave Trade
Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Subject (Object Type)
Commemorative sculpture

Four nude figures dance across the abstracted bow of a ship. Each figure strikes a distinct, rhythmic pose even as they are shackled together at the ankle by iron chains. The outer most figure appears to have broken free from this rhythmic chain-gang-- iron chains dangle freely from his right ankle. The work, unveiled on the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Surinam and the Dutch Antilles, is located along the Maas River in Lloydkwartier, a newly designed neighborhood built in the old port area of Delfshaven. The work’s location and title evoke the Dutch slave trade. Clave refers to a rhythmic pattern used in Afro-Cuban music.

da Silva, Alex, 1974-

Art at Heart

Dedicated: June 16, 2013

To watch a video of the work, click here.

JPEG

English

Visual Arts-Sculpture

Lloydstraat, 45-59, 3024 Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Inscription on the work:

"Het lichaam is dat slaaf is vertrekt de ziel die vrij is blijft"

354.331'' x 196.85''

Corten steel; Hot-dip galvanized steel

Art@Site. "Alex da Silva," Accessed May 28, 2019: http://www.artatsite.com/Rotterdam/details/Silva-Alex-da-Slavernijmonument-Clave-sculpture-statue-Art-At-Site-Rotterdam.html

Sculpture

354.331'' x 196.85''