The neighborhood association of the Eindhoven district 't Ven of the Eindhoven district 't Ven asked the Hartendamesto make an inventory of its residents wishes and needs. Residents could indicate what they wanted to change or improve in their neighborhood. What emerged was that two-thirds of the wishes stemmed from a need for social contact and the need to support each other as a result of the Corona pandemic.

The neighborhood association approached Rake Lijnen to give substance to this insight. Instead of an event or an intervention in the street scene, I created 't Wensterbankje: an ecosystem consisting of exchange trophies that neighborhood residents pass on to each other to encourage each other.

't Wensterbankje is a steel frame in the style of the district magazine in which a plant can be placed and which can be provided with a personal wish on one side. It is placed visibly in front of the window. Recipients provide the frame with a new wish after a few weeks and pass it on to a street companion.

As from mid-March 2021, all streets in the district will be equipped with a Wensterbankje. By allowing the frames to rotate visibly within the neighborhood, I hope to strengthen the mutual bond between the residents and to create conversation opportunities in a time of social distance.

This project was supported by Stichting Wijkoverleg ’t Ven, residents of 't Ven, Buurtcultuurfonds Woonbedrijf, CKE Eindhoven, HV Plaatwerk, DFM Bloemencentrale, WIJeindhoven and Hartendames. Photo credits: Studio Hystrix.

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