Wegwerp Monument

By constructing a monument meant to disappear, Melle Smets questioned the very essence of commemoration and permanence. His Wegwerp Monument celebrated the fleeting moment rather than eternal glory, honoring the everyday and the temporary. Built from humble materials such as wood, cardboard, and flowers, it invited reflection on what — and who — we choose to remember.

Wegwerp Monument was a poetic and critical reflection on how our society constructs and commemorates heroes. By choosing ephemeral materials and a fragile design, Smets raised questions about the value of memory, the lifespan of public tributes, and the mechanisms of collective attention. His work underscored that heroism can be just as fleeting as the moment in which it is born.

Placed in the public space during the vibrant festival weekend along the Witte de Withstraat, the monument invited passers-by to pause and reflect on what defines a hero — and what we, as a society, choose to remember or let fade away. Mothership curated and coordinated the project, which was produced in collaboration with the festival’s organization.