Massimo Bartolini

For the new neighbourhood park at Care Campus ’t Huis, the City of Kortrijk, Bartolini designed a sound structure in the form of a pavilion, surrounded by a circular wooden bench. The pavilion functions as a jukebox and plays a song every hour — a contemporary reference to the clock of the former retirement home chapel that once marked the rhythm of the neighbourhood.

 

The music selection was composed from favorite songs chosen by residents of ’t Huis and local neighbours. Visitors can also play their own music by connecting their smartphone to the pavilion. In this way, the artwork becomes a meeting place where music acts as a shared language between generations.

The playground elements surrounding the pavilion also refer to music and movement: a giant xylophone for young children, a dance pole for teenagers, and a wheelchair-accessible trampoline. The entire environment forms part of the artistic experience.

 

Within the framework of the Belgian percentage-for-art scheme for publicly funded building projects, Massimo Bartolini was invited to design an artistic play environment for the site. Art mediator Pierre Muylle selected the artist after an intense research process and guided the commission process. Through conversations with residents, staff members, children and neighbours, Bartolini developed a work centred on encounter, interaction and the shared use of public space.