Wish Me Well

WISH ME WELL – LARA SCHNITGER

From 14 May, Wish Me Well will be on view at the NDSM-werf. This temporary, seven-metre-high monument by artist Lara Schnitger rises at a prominent location by the ferry landing. The sculpture depicts a figure who embraces and defends feminist values, serving as a powerful beacon for emancipation in the public space. The official opening will take place on 13 May.

With Wish Me Well, Stichting NDSM-werf continues its tradition of site-specific artworks. The work poses a timely question to visitors:At its centre is the question: Which values must we continue to protect today in the public domain? The interactive sculpture partly consists of hand-stitched sandbags which, in this case, do not protect against water but defend feminist interests. The sculpture contains openings with flags and slogans, developed together with feminist organisations, including COC Amsterdam, Neighborhood Feminists, Our Bodies Our Voice, Pleasure Society, S.P.E.A.K., Samen naar de Kliniek, Stem Op Een Vrouw, Vrouw aan het IJ, WOMEN Inc. & Women on Food. Visitors can throw coins into the openings as in a wishing well to support a value; the proceeds will benefit the participating organisations.

The work is inspired by women’s monuments, street protests and a Chinese wishing well in Los Angeles (Chinatown).

A symbolic place where feminist voices and the public meet, come together, and find space for reflection and participation. — Lara Schnitger

Flags and Wishes
The wishes displayed on the flags were created in collaboration with ten feminist organisations. Click on the name of an organisation in the overview for more information about their work.

‍Laat Alle Bloemen Bloeien - COC Amsterdam
Powered By Community. Period - Neighborhood Feminists
Consent = Freedom - Our Bodies Our Voice
No Shame. Pleasure! - Pleasure Society
Hijab My Crown - S.P.E.A.K.
Abortus Is Normaal - Samen naar de Kliniek
Stem Op Haar - Stem Op Een Vrouw
Grow Together - Vrouw aan het IJ
Systeem Voor Álle Vrouwen - Women INC.
Food Is Life Is Love - Women on Food

About Lara Schnitger
Schnitger creates art that celebrates the strength of women and communities. She is a dutch artist based in Los Angeles. Her work interweaves feminism, activism and textiles. By revaluing traditions of handicraft and collective creation, Schnitger emphasises the historical and contemporary strength of women and communities in movements for change.

Wish Me Well is made possible by the Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst, the Mondriaan Fonds and Vfonds.

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