49m2 / jaar 6 / zomer / 22-09-2022 (observatie)

In Zaartpark Breda you can find a demarcated piece of land with a surface area of ​​49m2, where the municipality of Breda will no longer carry out maintenance for the next 20 years. According to the agreement concluded with artist Gerrit-Jan Smit, anyone can intervene within these 7 x 7 meters, except the local government. This summer, Ahn Sung Hwan was the Artist-in-Residence for project 49m2. This text shares his video- and audiodocumentation of the project, which serve as his own observation.

Ahn: ”I think Charlotte Fijen’s text is enough for archiving in writing. After the conversation with Charlotte, there was one more episode. On the day of withdrawing the billboard, a citizen walking her dog talked to me passing by. “Nice artist?” I had a short conversation with her, and she worried me by mentioning the hole in the billboard. I explained that it was not a terror caused by someone else, those were wind holes that I made myself for preventing the billboard from falling, and she was soon relieved. Under the warm sunlight, we asked about each other and continued our small conversation. She told me that there will be a photo festival in Breda city now, and she recommended I visit. I said sure. On my way back home after talking with her, I thought maybe I can be a nice artist, perhaps.”

Video documentation

Audio documentation

In addition to this text, Ahn was also interviewed by Charlotte Fijen. You can read the interview here: 49m2 (interview)