Monument
Ghent is not only a culture city but also a student city. The artwork ‘Monument’ can be found in the stairwell of the underground car park at Sint-Pietersplein square and is dedicated to Ghent students. An abstract bookcase was added to the large, plain white wall with the books’ spines following the patterns of the concrete bricks. The mural is a grisaille painting of grey tones.
From the moment someone comes near the mural, a soft sound can be heard. A reminder of a scene from the film ‘Wings of Desire’ in which murmurs can be heard that reflect the thoughts of the books and library visitors. This reference is not accidental, as the artist wanted to establish a connection with the historical library of St Peter’s Abbey and the iconic Book Tower designed by Henry Van de Velde.