Rogier Martens, 2016

Location: Praktijkschool De Poort, 2e Sweelickstraat 160, The Hague
Installed: October 2016

Floating, drifting, poking, pushing... these words on the benches of Rogier Martens are used to describe motion. For the schoolyard of Praktijkschool De Poort the artist designed four benches that are interconnected by means of an underground hydraulic system.

After an extensive investigation into the use of public space at the school, Martens noticed that the children where copying each other. For example: everyone in the school wore the same colour jacket. Nobody wants to stand out of the group, everyone wants to part of the groups and fit in. Martens decided to create an object that shows how the choices you make have consequences and may influence other people in a positive way. He created a piece of furniture that interacts with the users and has the possibility of learning something at the same time.

The benches are all connected by means of an underground hydraulic system. When you sit on a bench it will slowly lower you down to the ground. At the same time, on another bench in the schoolyard the exact opposite is happening. Because the benches are connected, very user becomes aware of his or her location. This creates an opportunity to communicate.