Friendship Vortex
Friendship Vortex
This is one of our 2 entries to the Amsterdam Light festival. This project has not been selected as finalist for th event 2015-2016. “Amsterdam is a city but is also a nation”, as described by Geert Mak. For centuries was Amsterdam the most important city in The Netherlands with 200.000 inhabitants and the biggest number of immigrants. With own diplomats and own policies, Amsterdam had achieved very early in history a democratic and equalitarian system with unity through diversity. Friendship Vortex is a small sample of that unity, as the many cultures in Amsterdam blend into one population, the colors in the Friendship Vortex blend into one sculpture. Passing on the message to the various countries of EU of moving forward by bridging the differences, through connection rather than separation and integration rather than seclusion.  While approaching the bridge the color that surrounds the bridge location already overtake the visitor. The reflection of the houses and the colors of the Vortex on the water already set up an experience by itself that would magnify by stepping in the sculpture. Lights and geometry transport the visitor from the Brouwersgracht to the Herengracht almost through a time‐still experience. The Vortex is design onto the bridge as a complete integral object, the bottom of it can also be perceived as an experience from the canal boats. This sculpture represents friendship in its pure sense. The kind of friendship that is at the basis of the European Union. The Frienship Vortex is meant to be part of the Water Color Route as representing the brake into the Herengracht. An experience from the boat, as a pedestrian or biker achieved by a striking impact in a short time even when viewing from afar. Furthermore, it has the potential of being an easy and feasible construction and of good stability. Scaffolding structure, lights and geometry, go! The structure consists of 6 square frames realized through scaffolding tubes of ø 60 mm clammed to each other and also clammed to the existing bridge (Melkmeisjesbrug). A secondary structure (scaffolding of ø 40mm) triangulates some of the big section for better stability. MultiColor LED Lighting tubes are used to produce a vast array of colors integrated with micro‐electronic and digital technology that can change color and can include other effects such as: color chasing, color fading. Clearance along the bridge and under are considered in the design.