The Great White

During the 2006 Wereld van de Witte de With festival, Martijn Rooker stole the show with his monumental sculpture The Great White — a colossal white turd in the middle of the city. This playful yet provocative piece challenged the public to reflect on taste, beauty, and what we consider art.

With a healthy dose of humor and self-awareness, Rooker challenged traditional expectations of public art. The sculpture was both absurd and aesthetic: a perfectly coiled, snow-white mound that demanded attention. Viewers alternated between amusement and wonder — and the piece unintentionally became the most photographed moment of the festival.

The Great White served as both a visual anchor and a subtle critique of the art world’s pretensions. After all, who decides what is worthy of a pedestal? And isn’t it often within the banal that we uncover our deepest truths?

The work was presented on behalf of Rotterdam Festivals as part of the festival’s outdoor program. Mothership handled the coordination and production of the project.