Visual Art

Temporary Stop: Post CS

A temporary metro station between Amsterdam Central Station and Nieuwmarkt.

Location W139, Amsterdam, NL
Production 2005
Material Mixed Media
Measurement 4200 x 1000 x 400 cm (LxWxH)
Photo: Henni van Beek

In Post CS—the former TPG Post building that temporarily housed, among others, the Stedelijk Museum and Club 11—W139 operated a temporary exhibition space in the basement. At the time, the building was difficult to access by public transport.

The spatial experience of Temporary Stop: Post CS began at the main entrance of the building. A metro cube was mounted on the roof, an illuminated “platform” sign hung above the stairs, and the corridors beyond had the appearance of a metro station.

In the basement, visitors entered a cold waiting room furnished with long rows of plastic chairs and four monitors on the wall. These displayed footage from security cameras—images recorded on an empty platform and inside a moving metro. The platform was reached via a gently sloping floor (wheelchair accessible).

All the basic elements of a metro station were present: platforms ending in black voids on either side, tracks with a yellow power rail, a clock, a digital information display, and surveillance cameras.

But no metro would arrive.

On closer inspection, it became clear: only the second hand moved on the clock, and the digital board displayed no information. The tracks, though realistic in appearance, were made of wood; the screws were macaroons. The black tunnel seemed endless but was, in fact, a solid black wall just six meters away.


Photo: Henni van Beek
Photo: Henni van Beek
Photo: Henni van Beek

Waiting for Godot

W139 attracted a record number of visitors to this exhibition. Some of them were really put on the wrong track after waiting up to half an hour for the metro. Reactions from spectators varied from recognition, surprise, frustration, admiration, anger, tranquility and awareness of the space.

(Made possible by GVB Amsterdam and Prorail)

Wachtruimte

In the space next to the platform is a waiting area with two monitors on either side of the wall, showing an endless montage of recordings in a moving metro. The moment the metro enters the station, the image jumps to the next clip.

Finissage

On the last day of the exhibition Graffiti artists were invited to cover the walls of the installation with Tags and Pieces.

In another room, Bingo was played with found objects and clothing from the NS (Dutch Railways).