“Know your past to see the future” ll.
11 meter x 7 meter.
Spray paint on wall.
Arij Koplaan Vlaardingen West NL.
Tymon de Laat 2024
Project for Gemeente Vlaardingen
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The second wall of my first ever wall diptych is finished.
It was a great pleasure to paint in Vlaardingen and to meet its inhabitants. Hopefully this project will shine a positive light on Vlaardingen west. I was told this was in the top 10 most challenged neighbourhood of the Netherlands, eventhough I believe that there are many problems there under the surface I really only saw the positive. People coming together at the wall and having conversation. Young and old and from all social backgrounds. Thank you for that🙏🏼

This wall depicts Raoul Ramirez whom I photographed on my travels in Puebla Mexico, him being an architect, he embodies an ode to the architects van Tijen and Maaskant who designed the complete lay-out of westwijk. Once regarded as one of the most innovative building project where humans and nature were intwined and made with a vision of finding the perfect balance for quality and affordable living. The lines in the face reflect this theme and if you look very closely you might even find a herring (fish) pattern reffering to the Vlaardingers being called “haringkoppen”. The image is surrounded from elements of the local Heemstuin like the hooded Morel, purple blossoming orchid and the green woodpecker.

A big thank you goes out to Gemeente Vlaardingen especially Brigitte and Sophie and waterweg wonen.