A rusty swing. That’s what you see first. Teenage Wasteland. It’s not a playground scene. Not at all. This iron sculpture is more complicated.
This is Teenage Wasteland by Colin Waeghe. It’s part of a series called Swing. Waeghe made it between 2009 and 2010. He found the rusty swing in his neighbor’s garden. He used it to create this artwork.
The swing is huge. It’s 300 x 400 x 200 centimeters. It’s meant to be unsettling. The seat can move in two directions. The usual gentle rocking is gone. There’s an unpredictable movement instead. It’s meant to evoke a feeling of alienation.
Teenage Wasteland isn’t just about a broken swing. It reflects Waeghe’s thoughts on modern life. He worries about inequality. He sees a loss of privacy. He sees a lack of freedom. This sculpture is a symbol of childhood innocence lost. It’s a symbol of broken unity.
The sculpture is part of VUB’s art collection. It’s a donation. VUB put it above the entrance of lecture building D. It’s part of their Humanist Sculpture Park. This park is open 24/7. You can see Teenage Wasteland anytime. It’s free.
The QR code near the sculpture offers an audio fragment. You can listen to more about the artist’s vision. The artist often works in series. Each series has a questioning message. He challenges established values. He questions them through his art.
This isn’t just a swing. It’s a commentary. It’s a conversation starter. It’s Teenage Wasteland.