Exploderende Koeienscheet!

For the national theme year Year of the Farm 2003, Harm Jan Timmerarends created Exploderende Koeienscheet (Exploding Cow Fart), a monumental installation that dramatically disrupted the familiar setting of a farmhouse barn. A gigantic inflatable explosion form literally burst through the structure — partly inside, partly outside — giving the impression that the building was about to blow apart from sheer energy.

Measuring 10 by 20 meters and standing 12 meters high, the work made an imposing impression on visitors to the Hofstede Rhijnauwen estate in Bunnik, where it was displayed in May 2003. Exploderende Koeienscheet playfully and exaggeratedly explored the forces and tensions of rural life and farming, with a wink to the changing role of the farm in contemporary society. As is often the case in Timmerarends’ work, physical impact was combined with humor and reflection. Mothership acted as curator and coordinator of this project.