WE'RE BACK!

Hellooohooo! We're back in Detroit, this time with Friso Wiersum who will stay here for the upcoming 9 weeks for us. Good to be back, lots of rain, but good to see Detroit in autumn too.

Customs this time went pretty well... although... Friso was picked out of line this time, and was lead immidiately to a back room for interrogation. Actually it wasn't that bad, but they didn't quite get how Friso would stay for nine weeks at someones home who he didn't even met yet. And the main thing: "we just want to make sure that, if you get hit by a car, you won't be a burden to our society".... Well, what to say about that?

And just when things for me looked to be really smooth this time -i went past the customs officer without too many trouble- just before really entering i was asked to again have my luggage checked. This officer asked me some questions: "what are you in Detroit for? For how long will you be staying?", and then: "why do you have so many layers on man?". I replied that it was indeed a little warm. The officer continued: "if you have so many layers on we of course think that you are hiding something from us. What are you hiding?". So i had to open my hoody and then the guy said something that i did'nt quite get, except for the word "belly", so, of course, i lifted my sweater and showed the guy my bare naked belly..... "Don't show me that man!!" he shouted, and i was released to go in to the country. So my belly did the trick this time. Will remember that for the future.

BACK TO D

From 19.10.2011 Expodium will be in Detroit again.

Following up the first residents in summer 2010, (Nikos Doulos and Joao Evangelista) and the second, in summer 2011 (Chris Meighan and Jonas Ohlsson) we will be acompanying Friso Wiersum who will be the next resident.

Where Nikos and Joao have been focussing on mapping the social structures and building up an Expodium network, Chris and Jonas have been focussing on Artistic practise.

We know Friso as a historian who is pushing boundaries when they are tight, staying within when they are spacious. A walking paradox? No. A professional in the cultural-political working sphere. He will be focussing on the political and historical situation in D-town and following the same path as his predecessors, he will be processing the experience and info that is gained during his stay after his return back in the Netherlands.

Our Schedule for the upcoming days introducing Friso to our Detroit Network is pretty packed!

We will be taking our new Expothesis by Markus Miessen and 37 contributers to have it introduced in the US of A!

Translation Station #4: Kanaleneiland Event

As a follow-up of their previous three translation stations, all based on their experiences in Detroit, Nikos Doulos and João Evangelista presented their fourth and last one that this time takes place in de Utrecht area of Kanaleneiland. The translation stations are stops in the process in which experiences and knowledge that are obtained in Detroit, are tested in a new context. Expodium instructs the artists it sends to Detroit to physically get their hands dirty and realise projects that are entrenched in the urban situation in Detroit. This method is used in Kanaleneiland as well. That’s why Translation Station #4 focused on finding an appropriate way of applying knowledge that is obtained in Detroit, to the social context of Kanaleneiland.

Nikos got in contact with newcomers in the area during his stay: artists that have come to live in the area and found themselves confronted with the fact that they have to do ‘something’ in the area. The urge or capability however to act collectively is practically non-existent, as Nikos found out. His contribution to this evening thus existed of a performative presentation and slide show entitled ARE YOU PEOPLE?, in which he, together with Mai Linh Ly and Koen Marks (both living in Kanaleneiland), explained why collective feeling doesn’t emerge, what does make it emerge and what their actions were, based on the findings of Nikos. The action that came out of their experiences during last month is the so-called NIGHT WALKERS.

NIGHT WALKERS is a group of artists and inhabitants of Kanaleneiland. They carry out hikes at night in order to, collectively, explore new peculiarities in the area. On this evening too, a night walk took place with a focus on ‘spaces of tranquility’ in the area. The route took us to the promenade along the Amsterdam-Rijn canal, via the Sayidina Ibrahim mosque to the St. Antonius hospital and to the Eyüp Sultan mosque.

João Evangelista presented a service-project – SERVICE LAUNCH - from which he will try to instigate a collective response. Based on his knowledge obtained in Detroit about producing bio-diesel, he gave a ‘cooking work shop’. João constructed a bio-diesel lab in the apartment to give a demonstration on how to make bio-diesel. The presentation was filled with references to power relations, political tendencies and alternative economies. During stirring the mixture of methanol, hydroxide and vegetable oil, which took about twenty minutes, the audience could ask questions.

With his service João focuses on the community of vintage Mercedes owners. Within that bunch, there is already some interest in the bio-diesel lab. The upcoming period, João will pass the knowledge about bio-diesel production on to inhabitants of Kanaleneiland in order to create a collective around the lab. The lab is made mobile in order for it to travel with the inhabitants who are interested in continuing it.

Both presentations of the projects are moments in the trajectory of locatie:KANALENEILAND. The upcoming weeks both NIGHT WALKERS as the bio-diesel lab will be continued.

Translation Station #4

15.10.2011 | 20.00-23.00 | locatie:KANALENEILAND (Auriollaan 98)

João Evangelista | Nikos Doulos

As a follow-up of our three previous translation stations, all based on our Detroit experiences, We present the fourth and final translation station, this time in Kanaleneiland, Utrecht.

The translation stations are stops in the process of testing experiences and knowledge learned in Detroit, against different contexts. As Expodium assigns the artists they send to Detroit to get their hands dirty in order to come up with projects that root in the urban situation there, this method is also applied to Kanaleneiland. Therefore, Translation Station #4 focuses on finding an appropriate way of applying the knowledge gained in Detroit to the social context of Kanaleneiland.

João Evangelista | SERVICE LAUNCH 1& 2

15.00 (SERVICE LAUNCH 1) | 21.00 (SERVICE LAUNCH 2)

What proverbial power lies dorment in a neighborhood like Kanaleneiland? What groups of people already have their own productive way of looking after their own? João Evangelista will be showing a straightforward way of producing power, kick-starting a communal way of working on a shared interest.

Nikos Doulos | ARE YOU PEOPLE?

with Mai Linh Ly & Koen Marks 20.00

Nikos Doulos' performance is rooted in collecting information obtained while taking baby steps towards a collective doing. During his stay in Kanaleneiland this last month, he hooked up with many local artists and initiatives and tested several ways of operating as a collective, focusing on the 'why' rather than the 'know how' of such an activity. The emphasis was put on its necessity as a format for doing and creating a sense of 'belonging to' instead of it being a top-down initiative.

And of course one more NIGHT WALKERS session!

NIGHT WALKERS #4
22.00
NIGHT WALKERS is a group of artists and residents in Kanaleneiland, Utrecht.
They initiate night walks around the area.
Meeting point: Front porch at Auriollaan 98!

Join NIGHT WALKERS and:
allow yourself to get affected by the urban night-scape.

Clearly not all about Detroit

It's been 380 days since we left Detroit. And by we I mean Joao and me.

It's been 24 days since they left Detroit. And by they I mean Jonas and Chris.

It is quite evident that our focus on the city differed and while our translation process is coming to an end, theirs has just begun.

We embrace the uniqueness of the moment and feel the need to reflect upon, not so as to give an elaborate view on the effect Detroit had on all of us, but to investigate the nature of the 'residency', the failures and successes of any translation attempt, and the identity of the 'artist in residency' - who ever this body and mind is or has become.

Therefore we would like to invite everyone to an event on Friday the 16th in the Kanaleneiland apartment of Expodium, in Utrecht.

Following up is the press release! Have a look and drop by!

Two artists that have been building on their experiences from a residency period in Detroit (that's me and Joao) encounter two artists that have just returned from that same city (that's Jonas and Chris). A unique confrontation that will leave you pumping with energy for new plans.

During the night you will see some work-in-progress, an innovative publication project, provoking political presentations and much more. Everything stems from the possibilities the Detroit program offers to be used for an extensive period and on multiple locations, in a constructive way.

The four artists take you along locatie:KANALENEILAND and open your eyes towards possibilities that come into existence when you apply your experiences to a new context.

After all these insights we'll get a party going on the tunes of DJ Lonely and Baba Electronica.

A brief preview:
Michigan left
by Chris Meighan

Electro lecture
by Jonas Ohlsson

Launch of the DBA_IDURLL* publication project
Nikos Doulos | João Evangelista
* DETROIT: BACK TO THE FUTURE/ARCHIVE OF IMPRESSIONS between illusion and delusion, urban and rural, living and leaving

US example

As we all know by now, Dutch parliament want the market to steer society.

'For your convenience we are providing the following gratuity calculations'

For the culture policy the State secretary of the Netherlands uses the American system as example. In the near future this is what we need to write down first in everything that is written about and through art.

back to reality

Theatre Bizarre tells the story of the possibilities in Detroit; have a idea, do it, act, realize it end some of the time you end up with a great initiative. This one ended up being a great Halloween theme park that is only used once a year, 2200 people show up and it is as big as a small inner city park....... Since we are coming here in Detroit the atmosphere is developing and changing and it seems it is starting to get more realistic and down to earth. "The honeymoon is over" as they say over here.

boy band photo II

We arrived back in Detroit!!!!

Jonas Ohlsson and Chris Meighan are the two new artists we are injecting in our network (which is well extended after Nikos and Joao stay last summer, thanks guys!!!).

We immediately had our 'boy band' photo taken. This to illustrate and put a picture next to the event announcement of thursday evening 16.06.2011 @ 2:1 Gallery in which we will introduce ourselves once more and give Jonas and Chris the change to introduce themselves and gain info from the audience in understanding the detroit situation

IMAGINE!

Last night we went to Windsor (Canada) to attend a lecture at the Windsor University. There were five speakers; Monte Martinez and Andrew Herscher were two of them. Great to learn about different projects in Windsor, Winnipeg and Phoenix too, through the other speakers. When you come to think of it, it’s kinda silly that there is no real connection between the cities of Detroit and Windsor yet. It's just across the river!!

Afterwards we went over to the house of Tim, Ben and Eric to drink, talk and shoot some pool. It was a great evening (considering the hang-over I had this morning). It’s great to realise that every single conversation we have keeps on contributing to our understanding of this city and its complex dynamics and ethics. Today we had more of those talks with Dan Pitera, Andrew Herscher and Scott Hocking. Afterwards we went in to the Warren street building that was bought by KT and 555. Freakin’ great place that is. It used to be a cigar factory. We got up on the roof that has a fantastic 360˚ view on Detroit. That place definitely gets you to think of all the things you can do with it. Imagine!

Please the goat

Today, we’ve helped KT out a bit at the Catherine Ferguson Academy Farm. It’s a beautiful day, lots of sunshine and refreshingly cold.

We milked a goat… It pleased her while she was eating.

And we fed the chickens, geese and bunnies too. KT says we’re real good farmers, ‘cause we chose, out of our own free will, to clean out the bunny cages. The bunnies were grateful.

Afterwards, we treated ourselves to a fantastic Rhode Island Clam Chowder and a sandwich at Russel’s Deli. KT traded two jars of fresh goat milk for super sandwiches and soup. That’s cool.

HEAD SPIN

It’s snowing big time at the moment in Detroit. Schools and Universities are closed, meetings are cancelled, and traffic goes slowly, permanently trying not to get stuck in a pile of snow.

Interestingly enough, this situation opened up a scenario for a mind-twisting conversation (coincidence or fate?). If not for the snow, my mind wouldn’t be triggered as it is right now, spinning around issues of resentment, community, decadence, collaboration, hierarchy, acknowledgment, reflection, arrogance, energy, and world dominance. There is something about the friction or duality and complexity of thoughts within a single individual that is so appetizing. I am certainly not talking about myself right now, but more about the mind torture that is created through a unique meeting over breakfast (garlic potatoes, scrambled eggs, latte and bread). There is a subliminal understanding which is hard to grasp and put into words though. So we’re faced now with the challenge of structuring everything we’ve learned so far during our stay here, and putting it into action both in Utrecht as well as in Detroit. It is energising and scrumptious to say the least.

For now, this is all pretty cryptic, but be sure to be posted on the practical outcome of it all.

WE'VE GOT A "TWO-FIVE" HERE...!

Yes, Bart and I are back in Detroit again. This time for only a week, to catch up with our friends, as well as to meet new people for future exchanges. We also brought the publication that we’ve made with Nikos and Joao about their stay in Detroit and the three stations that followed afterwards in The Netherlands and Germany. And we also brought the whole “Archive of Impressions” that we exhibited in our Expodium space last October.

When we arrived at the Detroit airport, this time it was me who was picked out of the queue at Customs for a thorough check (who are you? What are you doing here? Where are you staying?). The lady at the desk looked at my passport, took my fingerprints, and without any question called a colleague of hers. The only thing she said was: “we’ve got a Two-Five here”..... All of a sudden I was a “two-five”, and I didn’t even know what that was. I was brought down to two numbers, which probably stood for something suspicious and which needed extra attention.

I was brought up to a special desk where another lady took my passport and started typing all kind of stuff into her computer. I tried to explain why I was here, and at the point that I was talking about the exchange of knowledge and experiences between Detroit and Utrecht, she cut me off and asked if I wanted to open my suitcase.

She went through my stuff (boxer shorts, warm socks, towel, toothpaste, shirts) and saw a carton box – about an A4 size. “What’s in the box?” she asked, and I replied “an exhibition”. There we stood, a couple of seconds, realising what the situation was, and she let me go. It’s great to be back again.

How to perform shameless ruin porn in order to compare two cities...

In the issue of November/December 2009 of Kaleidoscope magazine, Joao found an article that was titled: Is Detroit the new Berlin?? In the article, Chris Sharp, the author, referred to a common perspective of Detroit as 'the new Berlin' within the art world. It is this kind of perspectives that deny any uniqueness of a place like Detroit, and its initiatives that actually succeed in creating a new strategy that is based on the actual situation, both hyper-local as on a city-scale. At the same time, this perspective romanticises the whole Berlin situation, without actually knowing about the ins and outs of the origins of the current situation and the policies that are behind it. The article was accompanied by some photo's of Corine Vermeulen, which were totally appropriated in order to enhance the 'spectacle-factor' of the Detroit situation by which many people are so enticed. Recently, I've been to Berlin, and to illustrate how easy it is to make any comparisons, assumptions, references like this, I performed some hard-core, shameless ruin porn. Here's a little visual result of it.

<--

(as a reaction on an older post on this blog by Joao: 'Betsy needs a new love', 07.09.2010. This is Brunhilde... she needs love too, you know)















yes, community gardens too....

....... and as a final moral message from Berlin.....








Goodbye now. Sweet dreams....!

New strategies for Wall Street could effect Detroit

Trust the Detroit situation...

Back in Utrecht we fully trust Nikos and Joao getting involved in Detroit, involving themself, eachother understanding the Detroit situation

Back at the office...


Yesterday Bart and me went back home after a 10 day stay at Detroit. Still a bit jet-lagged, we're back at the office again, evaluating and imagining the rest of Joao's and Nikos' stay. We're happy with the way this pilot-project kicked off. The experiences and insights of the past ten days raised questions on exchanging knowledge and experiences, and the ethics that are involved, yet still need to be explored for a big part too.
The upcoming two months will tell us more. in the mean while...... break it!!