Courtesy of: The Morning News
ORANJESTAD – Aruba’s Monument Foundation is now established in a stunning landmark building at Avenida Milio Croes 26, and it is only fitting their empty walls should be filled with artwork depicting some of the more important historical structures.
Island artist Franco Koolman has provided a collection of nine paintings particularly focusing on traditional island architecture, which will remain on permanent exhibit in the foundation’s board room. The exposition, “Monumento Historia di Nos Futuro,” is named for one of the pieces, which is a composite of Aruba’s most famous landmarks.
“I became particularly interested in the buildings, and how the light plays on them at different times of the day, around three years ago,” explained Koolman. The works, general, have a rather ethereal ambiance, as light, from misty morning to striking sunsets, plays an important role in the paintings. He ventures into the surreal with his work “Life Without Limit.”
The artist’s most work is a large piece dedicated to the spirit of Carnival, and holds a central spot in the display. All the paintings are for sale, ranging in price from $185 to around $385, with the tribute to Aruba’s Diamond Jubilee Carnival priced at $1000.
The work of the Monument Foundation is to rescue and restore many of Aruba’s important landmark structures, along with the Monument Bureau. The foundation also manages those that have been restored, using the collected rents to continue their work. Most of the buildings contain government offices, but they are now venturing into a number of projects by partnering with private interests, who wish to refurbish their landmark properties authentically.
Monument Foundation Director Anne Witsenburg de Jong expressed the hope that such exhibits and art openings will become a regular event on the foundation’s agenda. Franco Koolman stated he would willingly replace pieces that are sold, but other artists are also welcome to exhibit their works at the foundation’s office, which is a most attractive venue for the appropriately themed subjects.
The Monument Foundation is open Monday through Friday during normal office hours. For the purposes of viewing the exhibit, however, they ask that visitors come only between 1:30 and 5:00 PM, so as not to overly disturb their work day.
