Kalmeer de Zee by Karin van Paassen

Artist list

Karin van Paassen

Eight figureheads adorn the bridge houses. They look out over the river. The female figureheads symbolize the power to calm stormy seas. The female torsos wear porcelain amulets and objects that refer to the age-old superstitions of sailors from various cultures. The amulets relate to what one was advised to avoid, or conversely, what people were advised to do to avoid a disaster. Iron objects, such as nails or horseshoes, were, for example, often nailed to the mast. Together with everyday objects such as hair, cutlery and eggs, they were intended to offer protection against misfortune, illness, danger and negative energy.
 
Until around 40 years ago, the bridge houses on the Maaskade marked the southern riverbank connection of the Oude Willemsbrug (1926). The houses originally served as a police post and a kiosk. Following the demolition of the Oude Willemsbrug and the arrival of the new red Willemsbrug in 1981, the bridge houses have been preserved as a municipal monument. Through the ‘Rotterdam Water Pearls’ programme, the Brugwachtershuisjes Foundation will be exploring and experimenting with ways to repurpose these bridge houses and the bridge keeper’s huts on the Koninginnebrug until the end of 2026.
 
Karin van Paassen has been working as a curator for 40 years and has organized dozens of exhibitions on design, fashion and jewelry both at home and abroad. Exchange projects with designers and students, as well as educational initiatives, have always been key components of her work. For the past 13 years, she has been captivated by porcelain and has been designing black porcelain jewelry and objects. Through this, she has developed a special bond with China.