Eye: Tom van Calsteren We've opened our eyes Oil on wood 20x20cm Story of Tom: 1/2 Corona, the blessing of this period in time It is late summer 2020. I am driving my van home from work in Amsterdam. Instead of taking the fast route via the highway, I decide to take the secondary route along the river Hollandse IJssel, which is much more picturesque because of quaint villages such as Haastrecht and Oudewater. Because I am running late, I am driving quite fast, which is not risk-free. It is a winding road. The list of accidents along this route is very long. As I enter the province of South Holland, something astonishing occurs. The 75km per hour I am driving, turns out to be a lot faster than the recommended speed on the spot. My van caroms three times as a billiard ball from guard rail to guard rail and finally stands still. Silence all around. Miraculously, no other cars got involved in this incident. For minutes, the road is free from the noise of passing traffic and two ribbons of black wheels stretch out over the winding dike route. As an over-aged show model, my vehicle is situated on both lanes, over the whole width of the road. Alas, no one is interested in the vehicle, or the driver. A front bumper parked on the shoulder, shattered glass, and a dented exterior indicate that the Japanese car is ready to retire. A few days later, the van will prove to be a total loss. After a few minutes and equally little interest, I decide to make myself useful. The road has to be cleared. I get out of my van and sweep everything that no longer matters aside. What matters? I am still alive and not a scratch on me, my van will eventually probably serve in Africa. And me? My life will be completely different from this moment.