paroolOct 23, 2026, 18:00

Five-meter-high hand to sail through the canals on Saturday: My wish is for people to talk in amazement, preferably with a stranger

Artist Eric Staller will debut his five-meter-long, hand-shaped art installation called The Gift as it cruises through the Amsterdam canals this Saturday. The project aims to foster connection and conversation among strangers by presenting a surreal, floating display of a giant hand offering a mirrored diamond.

Artist Eric Staller is launching a unique art installation titled The Gift this Saturday in Amsterdam. The project features a five-meter-long green hand constructed from fiberglass and foam, carrying a large mirrored diamond. Staller will personally pilot the silent, motorized structure through the city canals, traveling from Westerdok Marina to Café de Jaren. The installation is designed to appear as if it broke off from a statue, symbolizing both the fragility of ideals and the importance of unexpected acts of kindness.

Staller conceived the idea over sixteen years ago while living in the city, feeling that the romantic and intimate atmosphere of the canals is the perfect setting for his work. By navigating the waters, the artist hopes to spark surprise and encourage strangers to engage in conversation with one another. He believes that the city's culture allows people the necessary time to appreciate small moments of beauty, a pace he finds lacking in the hectic environment of the United States.

Culture Amsterdam Netherlands

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Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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