BUNKERSEATS / TAPIJN
Seating objects made of building rubble from a demolished bunker
Second setup : ‘The Memory of Maastricht’
On 1 April 2019 Paul Koenen presented 3 round objects made out of the remnants of an atomic-command-bunker in the Maastricht Tapijn-Parc. These objects are, like his earlier ‘memory-pieces’, designed so the rain drains off quickly. The Bunkerseats for the Tapijn Parc were commissioned by the Municipality of Maastricht and Maastricht University, and they embody a piece of Cold War military heritage. The Tapijn-parc has a long history in defending the city of Maastricht. The Parc is situated alongside the medieval citywall and hosted a military base for almost 100 years (1916-2010) A “secret” command bunker was built during the cold war and demolished in 2018. The bunker had a discreet look and (almost) nobody knew about its existence , If you sit on one of the three objects the bunker was situated just opposite of the new bicycle/pedestrian lane 30 meters away.
The Tapijn-bunker before demolition 2018
Stories captured in polished concrete
If you would like to remember a historical building filled with memories that is about to be demolished ……
send me a big bag with mineral building rubble from that demolished building and I will reuse that very material to make an object which will honour the endangered historical building with its memories in an innovative contemporary way.
“The memory of Maastricht” Winner design contest “Made for Maastricht” 2017
City of Maastricht/University of Maastricht
The Bunkerseats. Set up in Tapijnpark Maastricht / Maastricht University campus
The inside of the demolished “Tapijn”bunker.