Warming up to walk the talk

By Layana Mokoginta

This morning we had a visit of Dutch journalist Patrick Meerhoek, he is the city reporter of Amsterdam/Dutch daily 'Het Parool'. Not an art-specialist but a Bijlmer-specialist, Patrick took our invitation to have a cup-of-coffee with Nienke, Helga and myself.

We had a good talk, with Helga doing most of the talking and Patrick most of the asking. Discussing the history of the Bijlmer, the sensitivities -political and non-political- of art and the Bijlmer and the thought behind the artistic plan. Helga argued that as a person, you have multiple identities and regarding the circumstances (company you are in, environment and role) you show a part of your identity as well as others perceive an aspect of your identity from their own identity-perspective.

This is valid for the art-objects that will be exhibited in de STRAAT VAN SCULPTUREN. We talked about controverses and art, where Patrick referred to the much discussed Anton de Kom sculpture. There is one big aspect of that sculpture that fuelled the emotions around it: it's not just a sculpture. Its a monument. And a monument is a tribute to a certain event or historical figure. Thus a monument is primarily a representation of the cause it is a tribute to, not an autonomous work of art by an artist.

Patrick said that as a journalist, its important to remain an observer and not a participator.

For us it was an interesting and good discussion and the very first in-depth talk with a journalist about this project. Now we can't wait to see how he will represent this discussion in his article.