Photo by Hussel Zhu
A conversation on how we can collectively defend artistic freedom.
Language: Dutch and English
Participants: De Creatieve Coalitie, artists' initiative De Loods, Balik/bayan, Clublokaal, Platform BK (moderation)
You can listen back to the conversation through www.archive.org/details/mag-kunst-schuren (or click on the image).
Design by Benjamin Schoones
'Art is allowed to be controversial,' was the response of the VVD in Breda to the ritual destruction of an effigy of Mark Rutte. Those words, however, were followed by a 'but...'. The VVD took offence at the performance by Filipino collective Balik/bayan, which was part of the closing programme of the exhibition (un(h)armed in Clublokaal. The political party raised questions in the city council and even threatened to withdraw funding from the organiser, Clublokaal. De partij stelde raadsvragen en dreigde zelfs met het intrekken van de subsidie van organisator Clublokaal. The issue was widely discussed on social media and Clublokaal received a letter from the mayor along similar lines, stating that while art can be provocative, this performance was 'inappropriate'.
In response to the VVD's comments, Clublokaal and artists' collective Balik/bayan published statements defending their artistic choices. The association for (visual) art workers Platform Beeldende Kunst, the national umbrella organisation De Creatieve Coalitie and a broad coalition of cultural advocacy groups publicly spoke out in defence of artistic freedom.
But are statements alone enough?
Photo by Hussel Zhu
During this conversation we explored how artists, art institutions and the wider cultural sector can address the growing pressure on artistic freedom together. How can we protect the freedom of creators and the autonomy of art institutions to exhibit controversial art? What role do artists, institutions, foundations, governments and advocacy groups play in this? How can we form sustainable coalitions that defend artistic freedom and continue to address social issues?
This conversation was not intended as a retrospective on a single incident, but rather an invitation to develop joint strategies. How can we build a cultural landscape that defends artistic freedom when under pressure and is organised to withstand political and social pressure in the long term? What forms of solidarity are needed for this, both locally and internationally?
At the end of the panel discussion, Balik/bayan and Clublokaal launched the joint campaign called 'Standing TOgether Opposing Militarism (STOOM)'. This is a broad movement that speaks out against the increasing militarisation of our society, which is increasingly presented as inevitable.
On the occasion of the panel, a zine was published, compiling statements, letters, articles and other public documents related to the destruction of the effigy.
Photo by Hussel Zhu
De Creatieve Coalitie, a national umbrella organisation for professionals working in the cultural and creative sector, issued a public statement signed by over ten interest groups, including the Academy of Arts, Kunsten ’92, the Dutch Association for the Performing Arts, the Association of Dutch Pop Venues and Festivals, and the Association of Theatre and Concert Hall Directors. The statement can be read here.
Kunstenaarsinitiatief De Loods is an artists’ collective in Breda, which recently organised the exhibition ‘Silence = Violence’ featuring censored work by various artists, curated by Joyce Overheul.
Balik/bayan is a collective of Filipino artists who built the effigy of Mark Rutte together with residents of Breda, local neighbours and students. Balik/bayan published an open letter on this subject, which can be read here.
Clublokaal, an art space for collective practices in Breda, was targeted by the local VVD for organising a performance featuring an effigy as part of an exhibition called (un(h)armed. In response, Clublokaal published a statement.
Platform Beeldende Kunst (moderation) is a national advocacy organisation for artists and art institutions which also published a statement on the situation at Clublokaal. This statement can be read here. Platform BK is also a co-signatory of the statement by De Creatieve Coalitie.
Photo by Hussel Zhu
Local news medium BredaNU published an article on the closing performance featuring the destruction of the effigy.
Questions raised by the VVD Breda council members in the city council. The responses from the Mayor and Aldermen are expected on 25 August.
Art magazine MetropolisM published an article in response to statements made by Clublokaal and Balik/Bayan.
De Volkskrant published an article about how the mayor and the VVD consider this artistic expression to have gone ‘too far’.
Read/look back: (un(h)armed exhibition en UP IN ARMS 14 June.
