At night the knives are sharpened

Kinetic work, plaster, wood, motors, transformer, 364cm x 165cm x 57cm

At night the knives are sharpened is a kinetic artwork that delves into the ways in which emotions, tensions, and desires manifest and escape. The piece features a row of seven teeth, each grinding at varying speeds and intensities. Over the course of the exhibition, the grit produced by the grinding is released, gradually leading to the work’s self-destruction.

Roos van Geffen: “This kinetic piece stems from my personal fascination with my own teeth, worn down by nocturnal grinding. The jaw, being the strongest muscle in the human body, is vital to our survival. For me, this work addresses the devastating effects of suppressed tensions and emotions simmering beneath the surface. It serves as a metaphor for the destructive potential of hidden forces in the world, and as a call to allow complex emotions to find their release.”

At display at Buitenplaats Doornburgh in Maarssen at the exhibition Stimulus October 6th 2023 – January 7th 2024

here you can see the work in motion: https://youtu.be/pcirm0DWaMY

technical support: Uif Putters

photography: Gert Jan van Rooij

made possible by the generous support of  Mondriaan Fund