Festival de wereld van Witte de With, Rotterdam 2010 Just Sometimes.. Witte de With Festival in Rotterdam invited Luke to make a temporary outdoor installation for them. They specifically requested an artwork that would create strong imagery and would visually connect the streets with the waterways. Visiting Rotterdam on a recky he generated around 15 ideas for new artworks which were presented to the curator at the end of the day. 'Just Sometimes' was the installation they selected. Around 1000 umbrellas were installed over a 300m length of the canal for the pubic to enjoy during the 3 day festival. For this artwork the function of an umbrella has literally been turned upside-down, transformed by their reflection and their shear quantity in the water. From a distance it was hard to register what they were. Up close, the umbrellas could be seen floating like swans on the canal and occasionally one or two would be found trying to escape a few hundred meters down stream. Like a bunch of flowers presented as a gift, or fireworks on an autumn night, maybe ‘Just Sometimes’ it’s ok to create something that is simply beautiful that makes the public smile? During the festival literally hundreds of the public took photos of the artwork on their mobile phones and cameras. Indeed, even the driver of the local tram was spotted making an impromptu stop and abandoning his passengers in order to get out his camera and take a quick snap. Another artist team from Norway built special benches that were placed by the canal for contemplation of the umbrellas. As the artwork was removed the end of the festival all the umbrellas were handed out to passing pedestrians. Consequently on rainy days in Rotterdam, yellow and orange umbrellas can be spotted being carried by members of the public around the city, acting as a legacy and reminder of the artwork. With thanks to the Witte de With Festival and the fabulous team of technicians who worked so hard to help make this installation a reality. Luke Jerram heeft en fascinatie voor het weer en voor de elementen. Dat is te zien in eerder werk van deze Britse kunstenaar waarin bijvoorbeeld de regen en de wind een grote rol speelden. Het idee om met ‘de paraplu’ te werken lijkt daar direct van afgeleid te zijn. Tijdens De Wereld van Witte de With zet Jerram de sculpurale vorm van de paparplu in om zo het straatbeeld en daar mee de beleving van de straat op zijn kop te zetten, met verrassende resultaten... Luke Jerram's multidisciplinary practice involves the creation of sculptures, installations, live arts projects and gifts. Since his professional career as an artist began in 1997 Luke has created a number of extraordinary art projects which excite and inspire people around him. Currently working with a number of established arts institutions and organisations in the UK, new complex and ambitious arts projects are being developed in parallel with one another. Once born, these new projects will evolve and tour abroad.
