Scratch the surface

Scratch the Surface stemmed from a personal fascination with the advertising column (aanplakzuil). I’ve always held a deep admiration for this column, a unique object in public spaces that accumulates layers of posters over time.

Over the years, these columns have experienced a significant decline in both usage and importance. Once thriving focal points for public announcements and community interaction, these columns are now often overlooked by passersby. Moreover, these iconic structures are steadily disappearing from our urban landscapes.

This project aims to foster appreciation for the column by revealing the beauty within the layers of posters it collects. By exposing these layers, I aim to highlight the unique nature of these columns and encourage a new perspective on their significance, ensuring that these iconic structures remain a part of our cities.