A Journey through Solitude | Rotterdam (Zevenkamp, Beverwaard, Delfshaven)

During May and June 2021, Jelle Korevaar travelled through three Rotterdam neighbourhoods with his kinetic artwork Solo Tarantula as part of a special art project in collaboration with the Salvation Army. The project aimed to start conversations about loneliness and create a connection between people in the neighbourhood. The Neighbourhood Support Points in the Zevenkamp, Beverwaard and Delfshaven districts played a crucial role in this by bringing people from different backgrounds together through joint activities, meals and training sessions.

The artwork, reminiscent of a large wheelchair spider, was enthusiastically received by residents. The artwork acted as a kind of attraction, with passers-by stopping for a moment and becoming curious about the installation. There were also valuable conversations with children from the children's club about loneliness and the importance of social connection: can you manage on your own, or do you sometimes need others too?

Solo Tarantula offers visitors the experience of taking a seat in the installation, which symbolises an individual's life journey. The machine moves forward joltingly, but the gears at the back unexpectedly pop out of the system, bringing the installation to a halt. This raises questions: can the person inside the installation fix it himself, or does he ask for help from a bystander? How does it feel to need help?

The art project concluded on 18 June 2021 with a roundtable discussion in which Gert Jan Freeke (regional director Salvation Army Rijnmond Zuidwest), Jelle Korevaar (artist), Tineke Abma (director Leyden Academy) and Patricia Platell-de Jong (manager Buurtsteunpunten Rotterdam) reflected on the impact of the project. The conversation can be watched back on YouTube:

Solo Tarantula was a powerful way to raise the issue of loneliness and highlight the power of art in public spaces.

Link: https://www.legerdesheils.nl/artikel/in-je-eentje-loop-je-vast