In the work “There is a Monster in Our Street,” Mart Pool examines in a playful way how we as humans deal with the unknown and especially when it occupies your space. Themes such as the relationship between humans and animals, loneliness and polarization are also present.  

Within the installation, the visitor enters a world that feels simultaneously familiar and alienating. You find yourself between two screens, on which both sides of a street are projected. At first glance, these streets appear to be both slightly dilapidated and there is a somewhat dark atmosphere. However, the residents of these streets differ! And this is about the monster!

The monster, about three meters long, dusty and with a wound on its left side, lies halfway between the paving stones. As if it had just landed. Or perhaps fallen. It is still breathing, but laboriously. From the look on its face, it is startled. As it seems to take its last gasps of breath, people - projected on screens - watch. And judge.

One street is curious. Maybe even a little moved. “Ah, look at that...” sounds softly, almost endeared. The residents there hesitate, but seem open to the strange creature on their street. The other street is less forgiving. There, distrust grows quickly. "That doesn't belong here. That has to go," it sounds harsh and determined. Mart Pool thus outlines a recognizable dynamic: how quickly we think in boxes, how instinctively we react to something outside the norm - or what we don't understand. 

As a visitor, you actually also become part of the residents, or perhaps you yourself have a major role. After all, you form an opinion about both the monster and the people on the street. It gives you the distance that the residents might not get. Thus mart perhaps hopes to make you aware of this very thing, sometimes you have to distance yourself for a moment and only then fine tune your judgment.

Mart's imagery is rich in detail. Each element in the installation is carefully chosen and falls within a certain playful style. Within this style, though, the content is believable. The monster actually makes an impact as a monster. As much by the size as by the detail on display. The streets that are projected are made of miniature but do indicate streets. This creates a somewhat surreal atmosphere but it never becomes unrealistic!