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Festive opening of light art installation at HKU

  • 06 februari 2025

The light art installation Tijden van Groei (‘Times of Growth’) has found a new spot at the HKU premises, which was celebrated on 5 February. The installation, created by HKU alumni, was revealed in the presence of city councillor Dennis de Vries, division director of DNB Bank Maaike van Leuken, and HKU’s executive board chair Heleen Jumelet. Also attending were the entrepreneurs foundation Pijlsweerd-Oudenoord, along with local residents, and students and staff from HKU.

Festive opening of light art installation at HKU

Art to unite

Especially for the occasion, a group of HKU alumni formed a collective to design the art installation. It is made of metal arcs and decorated with illustrations. Its purpose was to create a sense of unity between people walking by and residents while the DNB Bank building in Amsterdam was renovated. Now that this renovation is complete, the installation has found a new destination at HKU in Utrecht.

Heleen Jumelet, chair of HKU’s Executive Board, revealed the work with a word of thanks to the creators and to DNB. ‘Thank you, DNB, for granting this marvellous work of light art a spot at HKU, where its creators came from. The art of HKU is simultaneously international, national and local. The work created by HKU alumni is a beautiful present from DNB to the city. And it’s right at home here at HKU, as a place to meet each other, to enjoy together and to feed our thoughts.

‘The ’Times of Growth’ installation is a place that can bring people together and foster inspiration and connection’, said Maaike van Leuken, division director at DNB. Councillor Dennis de Vries added: this artwork has created a meeting spot within public space. Art unites, I overheard during the presentation. And that’s exactly how it is.’

A place to meet each other

The artwork is a place to meet each other, to think, and of course, simply to enjoy. The name ‘Times of Growth’ refers both to economic growth, as well as the growth of people, sustainability and technology. The work raises the question what growth means for our society and where the limits of growth lie.

The installation was designed by a collective of HKU graduates: Femke Beers (social designer), Manon Poliste (spacious designer) and Suzan Hijink (illustrator), commissioned by De Nederlandsche Bank.