An Epilogue for Bandung-Rotterdam Connection - message for Daarut Tauhid

It is not always easy to feel reality and simpathy for somebody on the other side of the earth. We are all busy with keeping up with our daily lives and works to do. Sometimes the world news on TV remind us that we are sharing the earth with the people from different cultures, religeons and interests, but most of the news are something which do not make us happy but rather depressing. The Hole in the Earth has witnessed, that there is a way to share a reality, for just a moment though, with the people on the the other side of the earth - by smiling, waving, and talking to each other. Some people keep on meeting each other regularly. Some people send SMS to each other while looking at each other. I had to be amazed how people can be creative about the method of communication.

The uniqueness of Hole in the Earth owes very much to the character of the space in Daarut Tauhid. People are active at the square and on the street day and night. People are responding spontaneously, openly and friendly. There has been always somebody waiting for Rotterdammers to show up. Pitty thing was that Rotterdam Hole is not located in the popular place like Daarut Tauhid. What made the installation extra symbolic was that the sound from the Daarut Tauhid mosque was audible in the middle of the city of Rotterdam, and people in the image are wearing the exotic moslim costumes in vivid colors.

Technically speaking, Hole in the Earth is not really focusing on the uniequeness of the innovative technology nor machine. But what makes it unique is that it's located in the middle of the city, at the two different points in the totally different countries, and that installation is monitord and maintained nearly 24 hours at the both locations. The maintenance team in Bandung is specially formed for this project. They and Bandung-side organiser Jejaring Artnetworkers, and the team in Holland (CELL and Driebit) are being actively in conatct in the maintenance mailing list.

For the future of Hole in the Earth, I am further interested in connecting it with other countries where Holland has colonized before as South Africa, Suriname, or The Netherlands Antilles. Or with the home countries of the contemporary immigrants like Morocco and Turkey. I expect the installation to bring an actuality to the history of Holland where the contemporary society is based on. But now, it will go sleep for a while after finishing the connection with Daarut Tauhid in December 2004. Perhaps each individual has had an unique experience and memory from the Hole in the Earth which can never be the same, so I will end my story with quating my own experience.

It was around 11:00 PM in the end of June 2004. I went to the Hole in the Earth after dinner with my friends. "Hello-!" Nobody was there. Again, "Hello-!" Somebody showed up. Few seconds later, a couple of more people all of sudden showed up. He must have called the people around. The sound on the Rotterdam side was switched off because it was late at night in Rotterdam, but we somehow communicated by using fingers and unique expression on the face. We put our ears close to the speakers, so that we could somehow hear something from Bandung - somebody was playing a drum expecially for us! We accompanied by clapping and dancing. Unexpectedly, we held a small festival beyond 10.000 km distance. It was pretty windy and cold night, but we were totally warmed up by their warm heart and tropical smiles.

Rotterdam, 6 dec 2004
Maki Ueda