“What a piece of work is man! how Noble in
Reason? how infinite in faculty? in form and moving
how expresse and admirable? in Action, how like an Angel?

In apprehension, how like a God?
The beauty of the world, the paragon of animals — and yet,
to me, what is this quintessence of dust? Men delights me not.”

—after Hamlet, William Shakespeare

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 What a Piece of Work is Man (2021), at Het HEM's shooting range highlights the Dutch colonial past. The Hembrug site a former munitions factory, evokes various sentiments. prompts the question: how can we write history that includes multiple perspectives?

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Colonial monuments, often over a century old, serve as silent witnesses to social injustices and colonial oppression. Often overlooked by a dominant culture them, they can evoke pain by the oppressed. The importance of counter-monuments lies in their ability to challenge dominant narratives and highlight marginalized histories. This global conversation is vital for reshaping how we present history and bringing attention to uncomfortable truths.

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