Clave/Monument to Slavery (Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Photograph of the Clave/Monument to Slavery in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Four nude figures dance across the abstracted bow of a ship. Each figure strikes a distinct, rhythmic pose even as they are shackled together at the ankle by iron chains.

Dublin Core

Title

Clave/Monument to Slavery (Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Subject

Subject (Topic)
Abolition of slavery
Public art
Public sculpture
Slave ships
The Netherlands--Rotterdam
Transatlantic slave trade

Subject (Object Type)
Commemorative sculpture

Description

Four nude figures dance across the abstracted bow of a ship. Each figure strikes a distinct, rhythmic pose even as they are shackled together at the ankle by iron chains. The outer most figure appears to have broken free from this rhythmic chain-gang. Iron chains dangle freely from his right ankle. Unveiled on the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Surinam and the Dutch Antilles, the memorial is located along the Maas River in Lloydkwartier, a newly designed neighborhood built in the old port area of Delfshaven. The work’s location and title evoke the Dutch slave trade.

Creator

da Silva, Alex, 1974-2019

Source

Photograph by Emily Hirsch, 2024

Date

June 16, 2013

Contributor

Surinam Working Group; STC Group; Municipality of Rotterdam; and CBK Rotterdam

Rights

Municipality of Rotterdam, City Hall, Coolsingel 40, 3011 AD Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Format

JPEG

Language

English

Type

Visual Arts-Sculpture

Coverage

Lloydstraat, 45-59, 3024 Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Alternative Title

Slavernijmonument

Has Part

Inscription in Dutch:
Het lichaam is dat slaaf is vertrekt de ziel die vrij is blijft

English translation:
The body, which is a slave, departs, but the soul, which is free, remains.

Extent

354.331 x 196.85 in. (900 x 500 cm)

Medium

Corten steel; Hot-dip galvanized (HDG) steel

Bibliographic Citation

"Alex da Silva. clave. Monument to Slavery (2013)." BKOR-CBK Rotterdam. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.bkor.nl/en/beeld/clave-monument-voor-de-slavernij/.

Thissen, Siebe. "In Memoriam Alex da Silva (1974-2019)." BKOR-CBK Rotterdam. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.bkor.nl/en/documentatie/in-memoriam-alex-da-silva-1974-2019/.

Art@Site. "Alex da Silva." Accessed May 28, 2019. http://www.artatsite.com/Rotterdam/details/Silva-Alex-da-Slavernijmonument-Clave-sculpture-statue-Art-At-Site-Rotterdam.html.

Rights Holder

Renée Ater

Still Image Item Type Metadata

Original Format

Sculpture

Physical Dimensions