Closely following the concept of Elstak’s series L.O.B.I. ARCADE, in which wooden computer cabinets form the canvas, the artist transformed the Golden Coach into an arcade racing game—an object from which music emanates that at first seems inviting, drawing you in. But if you stop, look closely, and listen, you will realize that GOLDIE does not offer entertainment. There is no celebration at the finish. GOLDIE has a message for you, already voiced by rapper Kendrick Lamar: “Sit down, be humble.”

With music produced especially for GOLDIE by underground hip-hop outfit Kohfie Konnect, Elstak’s emphasis is not to take pride in the colonial past and the “VOC mentality,” but rather to be humble. The wealth that the Netherlands has acquired came at the expense of many human lives, and to this day continues to leave its mark on our society and personal lives.

This work has been realized in collaboration with Ellik Bargai, Hans Jansen, and Kohfie Konnect (Tenshun, Terilekst, Jiggy Djé, and Frankie Boxcutta). Financially made possible by: AFK, BankGiro Loterij Fonds