Wittevrouwen Police Station

by Domstad Rudie

This digital artwork depicts a mirrored image of the former Wittevrouwen police station, a listed building with a distinctive historical character. The mirroring creates an alienating effect that invites viewers to take a fresh look at the familiar streetscape of Utrecht. On the left in the foreground stands a classic lamppost, whose slender form acts as a visual anchor and guides the viewer’s gaze into the image. Behind the lamppost, an unexpected element appears: graffiti in the shape of a large, open mouth, predominantly red in colour. This expressive, almost screaming image adds a raw, urban dynamism to the composition and contrasts sharply with the monumental character of the building.
The former police station takes centre stage in the work. It is finished in light-coloured plaster, which gives the façades a smooth and understated appearance. The symmetry of the architecture and the clean lines emphasise the formal function the building once served. A turret with two bells, symbols of order and control, adorns the roof. Beneath it, the municipal coat of arms is visible, a silent testament to the building’s official character.
The reflection subtly distorts familiar reality and invites reflection. The work reveals a tension between past and present, authority and expression, structure and spontaneity. In doing so, it poignantly captures the changing role of urban space and heritage.

Address: Wittevrouwenstraat 44, 3512 CV Utrecht