Birth of OPPER
large scale textile series, 2023 - 2024Birth of OPPER comprises a large scale tapestry (Birth of OPPER part I) and a series of smaller sculptural works, all made with the tufting technique.
Birth of OPPER is part of my ongoing project set in a dystopian Rotterdam, which explores issues of privacy and censorship raised by new forms of surveillance. The project follows fictional narratives inspired by the reconstruction politics of Rotterdam after the bombing of the Second World War, reimagined in today’s context of constant urban renewal, displacement of socio-economic groups and the development of surveillance technology.
The story takes place in 2042, where an enforced tower (OPPER) was built in order to provide homes that can be safe from the worsening weather conditions. The new leadership adopted an experimental economic model centered around data mining in order to rebuild the economy, and the architecture of the tower was adapted for better data collection. People who live in the tower are constantly monitored through sun-shaped medallions they wear. The round shape held by the red figure of the tapestry is an exaggeration of this medallion.
The tapestry tells a story about this situation from the point of view of the OPPER government, striving to depict a utopian origin myth. The citizens flock to the bright future the tower promisses, bringing their skills to contribute to the future of this new society. At the same time, subtle details disrupt the narrative, offering glimpses of resistance and dissent from those left outside the system. For instance, there is only one figure looking back in the row of people, perhaps symbolizing that not all is positive in this utopic future.
The tapestry serves as a medium to explore how utopian ideals can mask dystopian realities. The utopian promise of protection from environmental collapse by the OPPER tower is juxtaposed with a dystopian reality where surveillance and data mining are woven into everyday life. By exploring how catastrophes are used as clean slates for creating ‘new and improved’ urban and virtual spaces, the project dives into how this can also be used as an opportunity for new ways of governmental or corporate control to be inserted.
The textile works engage with the rich history of tapestries depicting mythical and folkloric scenes to reflect the politics at the time. It is also a reference to the tradition of people in power commissioning allegorical tapestries or tapestries depicting military victories.
Through subverting tropes of socialist murals and propaganda, the project explores the status of the worker in this future world by weaving in the themes of surveillance and invisible labour.
The project is supported by CBK Rotterdam and Stimuleringsfonds.
Photos by Mihai Gui.
Size: 390 x 180 cm
Technique: tufted with tufting gun
Materials: wool, acrylic, cotton