YOUR ODE
TO THE
ELECTRIC MOTOR
From
the
heart:
Your ode to the electric motor
In an engine room deep in the hold,
buried in a dark corner, hidden under
layers of dust: 3000 rounds per
minute, 500 kilowatts per hour and
680 horsepower of pure energy. Power
embedded in one chunk of steel.
It starts the diesel engines of the largest
ships in the world, escorts groceries
to the checkout and dries hair in front
of the mirror. For three generations
now, copper windings, magnetic
fields and cooling ribs have ensured
the happiness of the Van Bodegraven
family.
We wished to express this happiness,
this proud love of the electric motor:
and the idea of a collection was born.
As an art lover with lack of creativity, I
ask for the inspiration of like-minded
artists.
We invite you to develop a concept
serving as an ode to the electric motor.
The ten most appealing concepts will have an electric motor at their
disposal in order to realise the idea. The work will be included in the
Van Bodegraven Collection and will form part of a PR programme.
For more information and preconditions
www.collectievanbodegraven.com
The occasion
In 1937, Kees van Bodegraven started trading in all sorts of electrotechnical materials in Rotterdam.
During the occupation, he was forced to hand everything over to
the Germans. Yet he did not despair. On the contrary. The attic
room on the Rotterdam Northern Island was refurbished, tables and
chairs were bought and a training institute was born. Four evenings
a week, Van Bodegraven Senior taught classes with a firm hand.
His working method created a success rate of 100% in the national
exams of the association for electrotechnical vocational education
(Dutch name: VEV). Many leaders of today’s large companies such
as GTI (now Cofely) and R&H – now known as Imtech Marine –
gained their thorough knowledge here.
His son, Ton van Bodegraven, was a
businessman with a clear and modern
vision and he dared to take risks. He
knew exactly what he needed in order
to grow. He summarised this in three
words: money, time and space. From
the moment he entered the company
in 1962, it grew steadily.
The company has now developed into
a business with a large stock of rotary
engines, DC motors and transformers.
In an area of more than 7,500 m2 in
Dordrecht, Frank van Bodegraven,
representing the third generation, is
now at the helm, in possession of
thorough knowledge and a great deal
of experience.
Frank is a passionate man with a real
love for the product he sells.
He thinks in kilowatts, and at so many
rounds per minute that you can barely
keep up with him. He is also a very
sociable person, always trying to
convey his love for the electric motor
to others.
Most of all, he likes pointing them out
in daily life. Yet they are always hidden
in the steel housing of the conveyor
belt at the supermarket, deep in the
holds of ocean steamers, in the body
of the latest Prius, or at the top of an
elevator shaft in a block of flats.
You can imagine the frustration. It was
during a visit to the art hall where he
visited a Caldic expo that the idea
originated to give the electric motor
the platform it deserves.
De pitch.
We ask you to create a work featuring the electric motor as
‘driving force’. Naturally, this may be interpreted both literally and
figuratively. The appearance, the working, the strength, the agility,
the indispensability or even the technique can be chosen as a
theme.
You must explain your concept on approximately 2 A4 sheets with
text and, if necessary, supporting images/sketches. Then you
upload this at www.collectievanbodegraven.com.
You are free in terms of the techniques you use, just as you are in
the choice of format and type of motor. We are curious about your
creative, creating mind. Needless to say, entries featuring combinations of art disciplines are very welcome!
What next?
An assessment team consisting
of various people from the world
of art, technology and design will
select ten winners from the entries,
the first three of which will win a
sum of money.
Together with Frank, all winners will
be able to choose an electric motor
at the Van Bodegraven company
to use for the project. From that
moment on, they will be assisted
as far as possible by the company
in order to realise the work. This
will include transport, workspace
and/or test space with power
current and technical advice.
After the selection round, a
deadline will of course be set.
1e prize:
2e prize:
3e prize:
3000,1500,500,-
What will happen to my work afterwards?
And what about rights and so on?
EXPO
BOOK
PR
PROPERTY
After the completion of all ten works
there will be an expo.
Initially in an exhibition room at
Van Bodegraven in Dordrecht, and
subsequently, when there is enough
interest, at as many other places as
possible.
An exhibition book will naturally be
designed, featuring background
information about the artist and their
work.
This book will be distributed on the
corporate circuit as well as in the art
world. The book will also serve as a
press release for the art media,
both in print and online.
In addition, a free publicity campaign
will be launched, focusing on the
exhibition but also raising the profile
of the individual artists.
The work is and remains the property
of both parties: Van Bodegraven as
well as the artist. In the event the
work is sold, Van Bodegraven will
be compensated for the value of the
motor used. The remaining funds will
be for the benefit of the artist.
Please note: Van Bodegraven
assumes the role of curator of the
collection. The sales value will be
established in agreement with the
artist. This is to guarantee the value
and good name of the collection.
Questions?
Mail to [email protected]
Good luck!