Het Roze Viaduct

In 2009, the artist duo Transister — consisting of Hanneke van Leeuwen and Nelleke Boerkoel — transformed a dull viaduct on the Oostzeedijk Beneden in Rotterdam into a colorful and welcoming city icon: Het Roze Viaduct (The Pink Viaduct). The project aimed to discourage graffiti while giving the Kralingen neighborhood a positive boost.

The artists covered the viaduct’s columns with patterns inspired by vintage and contemporary fabric prints, using pink as the base color. They also collected childhood photos of local residents — both past and present. These portraits were mounted on panels and now hang symbolically as “hangjongeren” (a playful nod to “hanging youth”) beneath the viaduct.

The result is a vibrant 834 m² artwork that not only stands out visually but also radiates a sense of connection and pride within the neighborhood. Mothership developed the concept, guided the participation process, acted as curator, and managed the project. The project was ultimately produced by Mothership, commissioned by Centrum Beeldende Kunsten, dS+V, and the Kralingen-Crooswijk district council.