ABOUT THE PROJECT

Marie-Sophie and I have known each other for over 10 years. We have been working intensely together, and through this work, we became friends. Around three years ago, she told me about a personal situation that brought her; by chance and a combination of happenings; to look after an orphanage of 40 children in Benin.

I have been deeply impressed, and I am still, regarding all the work, effort, and love that Marie-Sophie and her husband Jeremy (my artist colleague, Jeremy Demester) are dedicating to this project, called “Atoké”. Since the moment I learned about their non-profit organization, I decided I would try at least once to do something to support their initiative. Of course, there are many great projects and causes to be supported, but this one just felt natural and direct to me, it was apparent.

Independently, I developed the idea to create a little Golden Nose, a 1:1 replica of the nose of an 8-month-old baby. “Das goldene Näschen”: A Golden Nose is a symbol for so many things, so many sayings about the nose in German, English, and French exist. I'm very glad that with the help of another friend, Alexander Hornemann from Atelier Georg Hornemann, we have been able to create this beautiful piece, a real piece of art, and at the same time funny and ironic.

I decided that this would be the perfect project to support Atoké: Children helping children! Art helping orphaned children... a perfect match, for a perfect chance. So please, help us support Atoké and get my new piece!

~ Alicja Kwade

Playground