Sign

Sign
Vendel & de Wolf (The Netherlands)
Location: The Promontory  

Fire commands attention. It can be a signal for help or to highlight danger — its meaning shifts in each context. Yet, no one misses it; fire captivates and fascinates us.

Fire also symbolises radical change, the moment when everything shifts. We witness the transformative power of fire daily — melting sand into glass, and rejuvenating landscapes by clearing the old to make way for new growth.

Sign is a grand display of flames dancing in the air, beckoning us to gather around it. Stepping closer to the ‘fire’ reveals that these are bamboo poles covered with reflective aluminium tape, catching light to create an optical illusion. This image challenges perceptions, inviting us to reflect on how destruction can be creative, and how endings can also pave the way for new beginnings.

About the artist

Artists Paul Vendel (1964) and Sandra de Wolf (1966) met during their studies at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy and have been working together ever since. Their works, mostly installations, are often located in public spaces and usually custom-made for those locations. The artists favour the use of recognisable and existing objects or materials. Rather than creating pieces that overtly declare themselves as art, Vendel & de Wolf strive to create works that are accessible to everyone.