Het Nest (The Nest) Public library, Alphen aan den Rijn.
Dimensions: 2,3 x 18 x 7 meters
Year: 2021

Het Nest (The Nest) is created for the library of Alphen aan den Rijn, (Bibliotheek Rijn en Venen) the Netherlands as an inclusive community art project.

The process for Het Nest started with collecting discarded clothes from the municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn, coming fromb the recyclyng department of this town. Then inhabitants participated in various workshops during the creating process. Children from an elementary school selected all clothes by color. Meanwhile discusssing personal colorpreferences and gendercodes in color choice for their garments. Then small groups of women came to cut and sew the garments into long strips. These strips were used in many active sessions with the particiapation of immigrants, elderly people and youngsters to twist, turn and braid fabulous ropes that were al integrated in the nest. The size of the colour surfaces of the Nest show what colors are most worn in this community, Lots of blues and greys, little amounts of bright yellow and purple. People who visit the library can find their garment or their selfmade rope in the sizeable nest. Het Nest functions as a secluded space in the library for versatile get togethers in small groups, for educational and sociable purposes. More about the workshops, go to: workshops at libray Alphen The whole piece is made with an estimated 350/ 400 kilo’s of local textile- and fashion waste. Photography: Jeroen Musch.