Hidden along the Mauritskade, Het begon met een dubbeltje whispers stories of Amsterdam’s past. This unique sculpture isn’t your typical statue. It’s a towering brick letterbox, a nod to the printing press used by the Bouwmaatschappij tot Verkrijging van Eigen Woningen (BVEW). Het begon met een dubbeltje, meaning “It started with a dime,” reflects the small weekly contribution members paid to the BVEW. This organization aimed to provide affordable housing for workers, leading to the creation of the “Dubbeltjespanden” (Dime Houses) in 1872. Het begon met een dubbeltje showcases aluminum silhouettes within its letterbox frame. These represent objects and stories connected to the houses and their residents. One silhouette depicts Klaas van Ris, a co-founder of the BVEW. Another shows an elephant, a memento of a former resident who worked at Artis Royal Zoo. A paint pot symbolizes a nearby lacquer factory, its pungent smell a familiar scent for past inhabitants. Het begon met een dubbeltje is more than a static artwork. It’s a living archive. Some compartments remain empty, awaiting future stories to fill them. The sculpture invites you to explore the rich history of these “dime” houses. It’s a testament to community, resilience, and the power of small contributions to build something meaningful. This unique sculpture is a window into a bygone era. It commemorates the humble beginnings of social housing in Amsterdam. Het begon met een dubbeltje stands as a tribute to the visionaries who made affordable housing a reality, one dime at a time.
Het begon met een dubbeltje Sculpture
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