The Monument (Atelier Van Lieshout)

The Monument is a large-scale, architectural sculpture created by Atelier Van Lieshout (AVL), a Dutch art and design collective founded by Joep van Lieshout. Typically constructed from fiberglass-reinforced polyester, often in a signature AVL color palette of browns, greens, and yellows, The Monument serves as both a habitable structure and a commentary on power, social structures, and the human condition.

These monuments are often characterized by their imposing size and distinctive biomorphic forms. They often resemble abstracted industrial forms or organic shapes, blurring the lines between sculpture, architecture, and furniture. Inside, the sculptures can function as spaces for living, meeting, or contemplation, offering a critical perspective on the ways in which humans organize themselves and interact with their environment.

A key aspect of The Monument series is its exploration of self-sufficiency and the utopian/dystopian potential of closed systems. By providing a contained environment for various activities, these structures often raise questions about autonomy, control, and the relationship between the individual and the collective. The choice of materials, often referencing industrial production and utilitarian design, further reinforces the themes of functionality, pragmatism, and the potential for both progress and societal breakdown. The Monument pieces are frequently exhibited in public spaces, prompting dialogue about the role of art in shaping our understanding of the world and challenging conventional notions of monumentality.