senior center turned treehouse by benjamin verdonck

‘vogelenzangpark 17bis’ by benjamin verdonck, 2012 all images courtesy TRACK

antwerp-based theater director, writer and visual artist benjamin verdonck has developed the work ‘vogelenzangpark 17bis’ for art festival TRACK: a contemporary city conversation in ghent, belgium. his newest environmental intervention artwork draws a subtle connection between old and young in the context of a close, yet inaccessible treehouse next to a senior activities center. the artist brings to the public space a housing component, partially obscured from view as it is placed within the branches of a tree outside this gathering area. in vogelenzang park, the clubhouse for senior citizens, first built in the 1950’s, has now received a replica of one of the segments which comprise this building nestled just in front of this social housing structure. the almost-clone like building has been constructed at a ratio too small for human access and instead functions as an evocative work, imploring the viewer to combine facets of both his/her youthful and older realities, reflecting upon the notion of their current sense of self.

the small structure blends readily into the environment, mirroring the neighbooring buildings from its lofted position

a passer-by pauses to photograph the work

a detailed visualization of the treehouse exterior image via

a collection of images picturing the construction of the work

‘vogelenzangpark 17b (benjamin verdonck voor track)’ by maxim hectors