Liberty, Unfetterd Release

In celebration of the 450th anniversary of the Relief of Alkmaar in 2023, Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar invited artists to create a work expressing their vision on the theme of “freedom.”

The Open Call received 142 applications, from which a jury selected six artists. In September 2022, these artists presented their proposals in a pitch presentation held in a small room at the museum.

Visitors were then invited to vote for the three designs that appealed to them most. The three proposals receiving the highest number of votes would go on to be realized.

Request a Project

The larger-than-life tapestry offers the visitor a moment of wonder
and reflection.

Sina Dyks

So if you look closely, you will see a piece of yourself in the final work of art,

'Liberty, Unfettered Release' plays with the imagination of the free spirit. The larger-than-life tapestry offers the visitor a moment of wonder and reflection. A specially developed weaving technique gives the threads free space, creating a special 3-dimensional effect. The artist will spin yarns for this work of art. For this, residents of Alkmaar can donate their 'freedom threads', which are then processed together in the fabric. So if you look closely, you will see a piece of yourself in the final work of art, among those of many others.

I want to show people all the beauty and richness that the world contains in colour and texture.

The theme of 'freedom' plays an important role in the history of Alkmaar. Over the centuries, the theme has been depicted in various ways. On the occasion of 450 years of Alkmaar Ontzet, the museum has called on contemporary artists to reimagine the theme of 'freedom'. These new works of art can be seen next year in the exhibition 'New Statues of Liberty' during the celebration of Alkmaar Ontzet 2023.