Artist Statement
Werner van der Zwan (The Hague, 1995) studied Fine Arts (WdkA) and Philosophy (EUR). His work explores the absurdity of two irreconcilable positions: being moved by something that is entirely indifferent to that empathy. The objects he works with, a chair found next to a container, a tree that fell during a storm, exist in an undefined state between their original function and the process of waste disposal disposal. He transforms them into sculptures that seem to possess desires and a degree of autonomy, while never concealing their mechanical nature.
The work invites empathy for something flawed, failing, moving without purpose, while making clear that nothing is felt on the other side.
Collaboration across music, theatre, and robotics is central to his practice. His work has been shown at Ars Electronica (AT), Meta.Morf (NO), Chaos Communication Congress (DE), and V2_ (NL). He lives and works in Rotterdam.
Curriculum Vitae