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Photography by Lizzy Zaanen
Narges Mohammadi, If you know, you know, perforated aluminium, 6 x 9 m, 2024. Permanently on view, near Willem Frogerstraat 137 in Amsterdam Nieuw-West. In collaboration with the Teen Curators Zeinab El Bouni, De Appel, LEVS Architects and de Nijs, executed by VPT Versteeg. Photography by Joris van den Einden. Courtesy of Narges Mohammadi & Copperfield, London.
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If you know, you know is a permanent installation comprising two parts: a hand-drawn tapestry transformed into an aluminium façade artwork by Narges Mohammadi, and the poem 5713 by Zeinad El Bouni. The tapestry depicts personal memories of young people in Amsterdam Nieuw-West, featuring symbols that refer to the neighbourhood. The poem captures the experiences and history of the neighbourhood through fragments and anecdotes. Together, they highlight collective memory and the intertwining of culture and personal stories.
On Saturday 12 October 2024, we joined the communities of Amsterdam Nieuw-West in celebrating the unveiling of a new artwork on the façade of the Podium residential complex, situated on Schipluidenlaan and Willem Frogerstraat. This artwork is a collaboration between the Teen Curators of de Appel, visual artist Narges Mohammadi and spoken word artist Zeinab El Bouni.
The work consists of two separate but interconnected parts. The first part is If you know, you know by Narges Mohammadi, which consists of a hand-drawn tapestry that has been transformed into an aluminium façade artwork. Just as stories and secrets are woven into tapestries in various cultures and passed on as gifts or mementos, this tapestry captures personal memories of different moments in the lives of young people during their secondary school years and whilst growing up in Amsterdam Nieuw-West. It contains symbols that are recognisable to many, but whose intersocial meaning can only be understood by those who truly know the neighbourhood. The second part is the poem 5713 by Zeinab El Bouni, which captures the memories and experiences of young people. Through fragmentary stories and anecdotes, the poem serves as an ode to the neighbourhood, celebrating both its history and its vibrancy. Together, these works emphasise personal and collective memory, blending cultural heritage with lived experiences.
About the Teen Curators
The Teen Curators for the 2023–2024 edition were Oumaima, Haifae, Hajar, Yahya, Ibrahim, Duahan, Safae, Irem, Ayman, Menna, Beyda, and Ferat. The Teen Curators programme emerged from close collaboration with the Comenius Lyceum and the Calandlyceum. The work was developed in collaboration with LEVS Architects, De Nijs and VPT Versteeg. The Teen Curators programme is supervised by Fouad Lakbir and the team of de Appel.
Made possible by
Mondriaan Fonds
Fonds 21
Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie
Stichting Zabawas
Gemeente Amsterdam
Stadsdeel Nieuw-West
LEV architecten
De Nijs
VPT Versteeg