On the Oude Vest, the Lucas van Leyden Fund is realizing the public artwork To Breathe: Leiden by Kimsooja, winner of the Lucas Art Award.

To Breathe: Leiden consists of semicircles stretched over the canal like arches and emitting light as colored rings. The rings act as a thread connecting both banks of the moat. This symbolically expresses the connection between art and science, two values ​​that together determine Leiden's DNA. The idea of ​​the needle and thread also refers to the Leiden textile tradition. The work will be an eye-catcher in the city center and is planned to remain there for three years.

The LLF hopes to bring Leiden a work of art that is controversial, that gives the Cultuurkwartier a new stimulus and that connects the many different sides of our city - from the rich history and cloth production to the innovation at the Bio Science Park. More information about Kimsooja and the Lucas Art Award can be found here.

The realization of To Breathe: Leiden is made possible thanks to Axel Vervoordt Gallery, which represents Kimsooja, and thanks to technical partner Anything Is Possible, who takes care of the practical realization of To Breathe: Leiden.

About the artist.

Kimsooja is a South Korean artist. Kimsooja approaches the world with a humanistic attitude in various media. Her work deals with migration flows, personal and global identity and personal awareness. Her work is poetic and penetrating at the same time.