Elvira van Bochove

ELVIRA VAN BOCHOVE  Transmitting through art

Part of the project “Every little bird sings as it is prized” from Het Vogelnest (Birdsnest, community initiative) for “400 years Synod of Dordrecht“.

Cormorant-fish, ode to Jacob Cats  
Mural in “Cormorant”street (Aalscholverstraat)
Trimetal Globaxane paint, 1177 x 930  cm

The Cormorant fish is a reference to the emblemata of Jacob Cats. This singing cormorant also has a fish tail, which refers to the ancient ties of the people of Dordrecht with the water.

It makes the tail into a kind of nest, in which the little chicks, drawn by the children of the Bird-district are sitting.

After the start of the Synod of Dordrecht in 1618 a comet was seen in the sky. Poet Jacob Cats (1577-1660) saw in this not an ominous messenger in turbulent times, as was the prevailing view of comets. According to him, it was a divine sign that disputes could be resolved in a new light.

This emblema tells us everyone has a place in a community. We all have a different background, with many similarities.

Chicks made by the neighbourhood kids
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