AMSTERDAM.- Taturo Atzu (1960, Nagoya, Japan) is internationally renowned for his temporary art projects which transform our experiences of monuments, statues and architecture. Radically altering our perceptions, his installations provide public and intimate access to elements within our urban environment. Atzu's first public project in the Netherlands centres around the historic weather vane and the small roof turret (with the Angelus Clock) of the Oude Kerk.

For centuries the roof and the clock tower have been a source of information for city residents. They indicated the time and weather, and sounded moments for prayer and church services. On most church towers the weather vane, indicating the direction of the wind, depicts a rooster. The weather vane on the Oude Kerk has a very unusual form, while the tower with the Angelus clock is barely noticed by passers-by. The Angelus clock was reinstalled in the roof turret for the 700th anniversary of the church and it is rung from behind the choir screen, something no one sees. Despite the church's prominent, public location in the city the tower and weather vane are inconspicuous, visible only in miniature from a distance.

Atzu’s project links the monumental 13th century church, the oldest building in the city, to its recent incarnation as Amsterdam's newest cultural institution. He gives the weather vane an update by re-imagining it in a fully furnished, modern living room. Interpreting contemporary Dutch interiors, the décor features a table, chairs, and above the sofa a classical print from the church collection. Atzu wandered the neighbourhood drawing inspiration from how Amsterdammers decorate their front windows and gardens. The Garden Which is the Nearest to God offers a unique perspective on a historical monument, its new context creating a surreal experience of cultural heritage. Taturo Atzu brings us closer to the experience of wonderment as we make our metaphoric journey on high – climbing the 156 steps to the 300m2 open space above – to a fictional living room and the built-in seating area around the clock tower.

Come closer
Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings in August, the roof is open for some inspirational moments during the 'come closer' programme, in collaboration with Non-fiction. Come to watch the falling stars or take a peek at the neighbourhood using special night vision glasses. On several evenings special guests are expected for so-called hagepreken (“field sermons” or open-air sermons) on the roof. After the Iconoclasm, 'hagepreken' were secret outdoor meetings held by dissenters. Keep an eye on our agenda for recent updates on the programme.

The monument
The Oude Kerk was consecrated in honour of St. Nicholas in 1306. The late-Gothic style building was constructed over a period of more than 300 years. On 23 August 1566 the church was one of the first to fall prey to the Iconoclasm, which led to the destruction of the stained glass windows, art treasures and alter pieces. From 1567, all Roman Catholics were banned from the city council and from preaching in public was no longer tolerated. Since then, the Oude Kerk has been a Protestant church. Maintaining a church such as the Oude Kerk requires constant effort. After the Second World War, the Protestant church was confronted with extensive damage to its buildings. At that time, the decision to sell the oldest church to the newly established Oude Kerk Foundation was unavoidable. The Foundation began a fundraising campaign for the restoration of the collapsed roof, the damaged chapels and subsidence in the area if the choir. In 2013, apart from the restoration of the Grand Organ, the work was finally completed. At this point the Oude Kerk initiated a comprehensive maintenance programme in order to conserve the building for future generations.

The monument is located in the heart of the red light district. Visited annually by 12 million tourists, this area is one of Amsterdam's main attractions. Looking to shake off its sex and drugs reputation, the city council has been working since 2007 to diversify the area by introducing boutiques, creative businesses and fine restaurants.

Conservation
Coinciding with Taturo Atzu's: The Garden Which is the Nearest to God, the Foundation Oude Kerk is carrying out restoration work on the slate roof tiles, lead elements and painting the roof turret and wooden dormers. The conservation of the Oude Kerk monument is supervised by the Amsterdam City Department of Monuments and Archaeology and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands.