Statement (un(h)armed 14 June

Statement

On 14 June 2026, Clublokaal brought the exhibition (un(h)armed to a close. This exhibition explored how we can relate to a world in which the violence of war is a daily reality. It showcased how Breda, with its long history as a military town, relates to the increasing militarisation of our society.

Contemporary artists, including Floor Snels and Ahmad Mallah – both graduates of St. Joost School of Art & Design – took part in the exhibition. In addition, images of anti-war demonstrations from the Breda City Archives were on display, and Breda-based filmmakers Bob Entrop and Frank Hamers screened two anti-militarist films from 1968.

To mark the end of the exhibition, a joint march took place from Clublokaal to Kasteelplein, where the Royal Military Academy is located. The march concluded with a performance in which an effigy was destroyed. An effigy is a replica representation of a person, group or idea. The creation, display and destruction of effigies have a long tradition and occur in a wide range of religious, cultural and political contexts. Both the march and the performance had been notified to the local council in advance, in accordance with the applicable procedures.

The effigy, initiated by the Filipino artists’ collective Balik/bayan, was created jointly by neighbours, students and residents of Breda. In this case, the Effigy depicted the leader of NATO as an invincible superhero. Through this, the collective sought to draw attention to the apparent inevitability of the increasing militarisation of our society. Furthermore, Balik/bayan aimed to highlight that the growing build-up of armaments in Europe has tangible and destructive consequences for other parts of the world.

The article in BredaNu discusses both the tradition of the effigy and the performance by the artists’ collective. It also explains why the artists deliberately chose a form in which the destruction of the effigy was an integral part of the work. Nothing in the article, nor in the performance itself, glorifies violence.

The performance made symbolic and theatrical use of imagery and the destruction of a replica, to openly discuss the social concerns. We understand that this performance may elicit a range of reactions and interpretations. Within the artistic context, the performance was intended as a symbolic reflection on militarisation and social developments, not as a call for violence against any individual.

At the same time, we recognise that threats, intimidation and aggression directed at politicians and other public officials constitute a real social problem. It is precisely for this reason that we believe it is important to make a careful distinction between an artistic expression that questions social developments and behaviour intended to intimidate or harm individuals.

Let one thing be clear: Clublokaal rejects any form of glorification or normalisation of violence. We also emphatically reject threats, intimidation and violence against politicians and other public officials.

Art is allowed to be provocative. Indeed, one of the essential functions of art is to ask questions, to confront and to create space for reflection and debate. Artistic freedom and freedom of expression, along with the resulting right to demonstrate, are fundamental values within our democratic society. The board, the core team, the artists and the participants of Clublokaal stand for these freedoms and for the space that art needs to be critical, challenging and, at times, confrontational.

Clublokaal is a meeting place where artists, social initiatives and the public come together to engage in dialogue about social issues through art. In this context, the artist is not detached from the world, but is an integral part of it. Artists operate within a social ecosystem, connected to communities, environments and the current developments of their time.

Artistic freedom and freedom of expression are essential prerequisites for a vibrant arts and culture sector. We invite everyone to drop by, join the conversation and engage in dialogue with one another.

- The board, the core team, the artists and the participants of Clublokaal