Lia Harkes

Redefining familiar places.

With multi-media installations and structures I transform ordinary locations such as a square, a bridge, a boulevard into a theatrical setting. I temporarily take over control of those locations. Taking the history, function and physics of the location into account in creating a new perception of that space. These associations are tangible in fact and emotion, rendered in crisp images and symbolic reflections. The theatrical surrounding is composed of various media such as video and laser projections, music, sound, computerized lighting and structures. Each medium is part of the new imaginary identity that gives a new familiarity and feeling to the site.

The expressive power lies in the choice of the location and the theme, and the way to use these resources creatively. My aim is to create the opportunity for many people to experience the work.

For large scale projects I work together with the artist Peter ten Wolde.

Large scale projects I realised with Peter te Wolde with more than 50.000 visitors in 3 weeks are:

"Illuminada, Scheveningen". Immersive installations around the coast  in 2005, 2006 and 2007;

"De Jas van Rotterdam", a multimedia theatre with video, light, laser and music. For Rotterdam Cultural Capital of Europe 2001;

"Het Hofvijversprookje" a fairytale performed in 1998 at the Hofvijverpond to celebrate the 750th anniversary of the city of The Hague.