Unveiling: the artwork 'Be longing' by Michael Rakowitz

Unveiling by Mayor Van Zanen
Date: 5 July 2025
Location: Molenvlietpark, Leidschenveen-Ypenburg, The Hague

'A city where everyone feels at home is built together,’ says artist Michael Rakowitz. This is the core of his artistic practice, and particularly for the artwork Be longing that will rise in the Molenvlietpark in The Hague. The new artwork weaves history, cultural diversity, and artistic expression into a cohesive whole that brings the community together. On Saturday afternoon, 5 July, the work will be unveiled by Mayor Van Zanen, in the presence of the artist.

In The Hague, where a large portion of the residents have a migration background, Rakowitz advocates for a piece of work that brings people together and connects society. The connection with local communities, and specifically the collaboration with the Participatie Keuken (Participation Kitchen), led to two major gatherings at Molenvlietpark in June 2024. During these events, the artist invited residents of The Hague to share stories and contribute tableware they had brought from their country of origin, which would serve as a tangible foundation for all the stories. In the final artwork, the shards of ceramic come together, and the stories resonate.

Michael Rakowitz (1973, based in Chicago, USA) is internationally renowned for his socially engaged art projects, where public participation plays a key role in the artistic process. This has resulted in notable works in London and New York.

The Be longing artwork is a collaborative project between Stroom Den Haag, the Municipality of The Hague, and the Participatie Keuken.