Amsterdam my city with her century old foundation. The artwork is reserved for an exhibition at Castle Greiz, Schloss 1, in Greiz (Leipzig), Germany. It is curated by Pashmin Art Gallery and will be on display from May 3 to August 3, 2025.
Amsterdam: My City with Her Century-Old Foundation
Amsterdam is a city unlike any other, a marvel of engineering and perseverance. Built on thousands of wooden piles driven deep into the soft, waterlogged ground, its foundation is a testament to human ingenuity. The city’s canals, bridges, and historic buildings all rest on this carefully constructed system, interconnected like a vast network. If one part weakens, the balance is threatened—yet Amsterdam has stood strong for centuries.
Unlike The Hague, which was built on solid ground, Amsterdam had to find creative ways to defy nature. Where other cities could rely on stable earth, Amsterdam relied on innovation, ensuring that every structure was supported by a deeper, hidden foundation. This difference defines its character: a city that thrives despite its challenges, always adapting, always evolving.
In many ways, I see myself in Amsterdam. Just like the city, I have had to build my own foundation, not on certainty, but on adaptability and persistence. Where cracks appeared, I found ways to reinforce them. Like the city’s hidden structure beneath the surface, my strength is not always visible, but it holds everything together. And despite the storms that try to shake me, just like Amsterdam, I stand.