Karine Versluis: artwork 'The living room', 2009

Location: Heeswijkplein (corner of Erasmusweg and Medlerstraat), The Hague

Commissioned by housing corporation Vestia Zuid-Oost and guided by Stroom Den Haag, Karine Versluis created the artwork 'The Living Room.' This massive 6x7 meter photo is displayed on the side wall of a residential complex at Heeswijkplein. The commission was awarded to the young photographer Karine Versluis in consultation with Vestia Zuid-Oost and several residents of Moerwijk. The new photo work replaces the previous artwork by Roy Villevoye, which had adorned the building's facade since 1998.

The photo commission was granted by Vestia as part of the renewal of Moerwijk-Oost. The neighborhood is constantly evolving, with residents coming and going. Karine Versluis' photo work reflects this dynamic, offering passersby and those waiting at the Heeswijkplein tram stop an intimate glimpse into a local interior. In a neighborhood where some people must say goodbye to their homes while others find new ones, Versluis created an interior in an empty flat in Moerwijk, entirely furnished with belongings from local residents, including figurines, a cuckoo clock, a framed photo, a live Jack Russell dog, and more. She also selected matching wallpaper and flooring for the scene.

Vestia plans to commission a young photographer every two years to create a new photo work for the facade. Smaller versions of the photos will be displayed in the Vestia Zuid-Oost office, forming a growing art collection.

Karine Versluis (1980) graduated in Photography from the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague in 2007. She primarily focuses on long-term documentary photography projects but also takes on commissioned work. Culture, representation, and social issues are recurring themes in her work. In 2007, she published the book 'Staphorst,' about her hometown.
www.karineversluis.nl