Artwork Column of Palenstein unveiled
In the Palenstein neighborhood, Wednesday, Nov. 5, the artwork The Column of Palenstein: One More Cup of Coffee for the Road was unveiled. The 6-meter-high work by artist Q.S. Serafijn (1960-2024), in collaboration with architect Jan Willem Terlouw, is both a landmark and a meeting place that invites residents to stop and meet.
The Pillar of Palenstein: One More Cup of Coffee for the Road
The artwork stands in the greenery near the Singel, close to the bridge to the new square and Palenstein station. It consists of an aluminum coffee pot on a pedestal with a bench around it. The pot, inspired by the iconic Italian moka percolator, represents simplicity, accessibility and the shared experience of a good cup of coffee.
Alderman Wim Blansjaar (Art): "This work of art is an invitation to pause for a moment, meet each other and have a conversation together. In doing so, it fits perfectly with the role art can have in the neighborhood: connecting and giving meaning to public space."
Artist QS Serafijn
During the development of the artwork, artist Q.S. Serafijn died unexpectedly, on June 1, 2024. Architect Jan Willem Terlouw, with whom Serafijn worked intensively, together with widow Anneloes van der Leun, continued the further implementation of the design. Serafijn was a painter, sculptor and author. He realized several works of art in public spaces, including the D-Tower in Doetinchem and Mannes in Assen. He was praised for his positivity, humor and intelligence, both in his work and in his role as a teacher at art schools. With De Zuil van Palenstein, his ideas live on in Zoetermeer.
In the words of Q.S. Seraphim himself, "Art is fun. This is the fun: solving problems that don't matter. Artists who think their work affects the welfare of the world are idiots. Not right in the head, as they say at home. Art is pleasure. Pleasure-for-nothing. It keeps you sane (if you're lucky). But above all, artists solve problems that don't matter. That's brave."
Jan Willem Terlouw and Anneloes van der Leun: "This monumental work of art is the culmination of Q.S. Seraphine's multifaceted oeuvre: his humor, creativity and free spirit continue to inspire."
Resident participation
In Zoetermeer, residents help think about the works of art in the city. For each commission, the municipality forms a temporary project group with residents and users of the location where the artwork is to be created. This group determines the location, writes the commission description, selects artists for sketches and chooses the final idea to be executed. In 2024, the Palenstein art commission project group chose this design from 4 proposals. Thus, the work connects to the experience of.
