For the past semester, fourteen students in the second year of Interactive Media Design of the Royal Academy of Art / KABK, have developed works for their course ‘Client Assignment’. The client, Festival Cinekid asked the students to design interactive works relevant in an age of ‘monoculture’, that motivates the sense of extraordinary in children.
Monday, 3rd of June, from 17:30 to 21:30. Free entrance.
“Smoothed, slicked, liked, we live in a world of the greatest common denominator, ‘the age of averageness’. From film to fashion and architecture to advertising, our creative industry is dominated and defined by conventions and clichés, tested, checked, and ironed out. Every kid watches Paw Patrol, we all look like Kim Kardashian and we’re flocking to the cinema for another Despicable Me sequel. In 2024 we should focus on unique makers and stories, throw the average overboard, and celebrate being different. Critical thinking, creative freedom and a different path, just act extraordinary, because it can’t be crazy enough.”
This was the assignment brief that Cinekid gave to the I/M/D students. For the past three months, they have been designing interactive installations that motivate the extraordinary, critiques the influence of technology on our social appearance, and subverts the effect of digital influencers. Their works are showcased on the 4th of June, allowing visitors to interact with their works: ranging from avatar creators, arcade-like video games, and a wide array of instruments.
With works by: Alex Sigmars, Basia Jagiello, Beverly Lau & Ye Ni Jeong, Tianjiao “Ghost” Qiao, Jessica Abderhalden, Khushi Purohit, Mads Rosairus, Maja Mikulska, Marc Palmhoj, Milla Zeitvogel, Olesya Lakshtanova, Thijs ‘t Hart, Vedang Supatkar
16-24 May 2024 Opening Thursday, May 16th from 7PM to 10PM
Exhibition hours Tuesday to Sunday from 4PM to 8PM (Monday closed)
Finisage during Hoogtij #77, Friday, May 24th from 7PM to 23 PM
Queer Leiden University, QLU, presents their second exhibition, “The Queer Geobacter”, where thirteen queer artists explore this year’s theme through various mediums. With works by Braidon Hobzek, Fester Vogels, Erik Peters, Mila Narjollet, Rizq Naherta, Ipek Şahin, Shana de Villiers, Bel McLaughlin and Tehani Amarasuriya, Gabriel Kolesar, Vanda Vlasic, Sadie Girigorie, Lukas Vonk, and Juli Jaworski.
The Geobacter, which the exhibition’s title derives from, is a microbial species that has evolved to be able to eat and digest toxic waste in radioactive environments. QLU proposes a metaphorical approach to this exchange to encourage conversations about how practices of consumption relate to queer survival. Exploring the concept of the queer Geobacter to think about how queer people can learn to adapt, digest and find substance and fullness amidst difficult conditions or in situations of political dyspepsia.
With thanks to the JEDI Fund for Justice, Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity 🏳️🌈
Program Opening | Thursday, May 16th: 20:00-20:15 Symbiotic Intuition (performance) Bel McLaughlin & Tehani Amarasuriya throughout the evening: Disgust Bar – performance by Gabriel Kolesar Project ITC – installation-performance by Rizq Naherta
Friday, May 17th: 17:00-19:00 Soft Life Felting (workshop) Kat Cosgrove
Wool craft is an ancient practice, our relationship with wool as a material goes back thousands of years. Although historically the wool industry was traditionally dominated by men, wool craft has been reframed as a domestic feminine activity; it has also become a vital mode of queer joy and collectivity, as queer crafting circles boom. Crafting with wool is an enjoyable stress-relieving activity; the combination of the flow state entered when using needle-felting techniques and working with soft wool has calming benefits for the nervous system. It can provide a much-needed softness in our sometimes challenging everyday routines. Using Ethically sourced wool, together we will learn how to shape and create a wool bacterium using felting techniques (as well as a little history about woolcraft) which you can take home at the end of the session! Whether you are a felting novice or a seasoned pro, we will share knowledge and skills together.
Saturday, May 18th: 16:30-18:30 Queer Botany (conversation & plant swap) Dr. Steven Lauritano
Experience the “strange, lurid, almost reptilian” world of orchids, a botanical family described by artist Star Feliz as “the most beloved freaks of the forest.” Together, we will explore the importance of these plants as emblems and embodiments of queerness. Art historian Steven Lauritano will share the story of Charles Darwin’s encounter with Catasetum macrocarpum, a variety of orchid that led the scientist to question his very concept of “species.” Then we will delve deeper into these themes by reading aloud excerpts from Whitney Davis’s text on Queer Beauty. Finally, we will open the conversation, inviting questions and sharing stories related to queer flowers, “plant gays” (both historical and contemporary), and other varieties of expression rooted in the “self-renewing generativeness” of nature. Additionally, participants are encouraged to bring their favourite plant with them to the event. Following the conversation, we will facilitate a “cultivation exchange” / a plant swap for anyone interested in adding to their plant family. Reading materials will be provided on-site.
work by Mila Narjollet
Sunday, May 19th: 15:00-20:00 QLU Community hangout An alternative to (cop-filled) pride come join QLU for a community hangout. Bring snacks to share, games to play, or just your queer beautiful selves and good vibes.
Tuesday, May 21st: 15:00-20:00 Queer Clothing Swap
Hoogtij, Friday, May 24th: 16:00-22:00 Project ITC – Rizq Naherta 19:00-23:00 Disgust Bar – Gabriel Kolesar
Showcasing diverse mixed-media artworks by queer artists from various backgrounds, the exhibition features thought-provoking discussions to amplify queer voices, explore the nuanced aspects of reclaiming space, and platform the diverse experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community.
With this exhibition, QLU aims to honour the resilience of queer communities under difficult circumstances, while highlighting the internal processes of queer survival. By drawing inspiration from the remarkable adaptability of the Geobacter, QLU invites to explore the complexities of queer resistance and adaptability in the face of societal oppression.
Queer Leiden University – QLU creates a safe and inclusive space for the queer community. Its mission is to support young queer artists, celebrating their coming together and the beginning of the journey in bringing queer art and queer narratives into the renown art space that has long been dominated by cis-heteronormative groups.
Quartair proudly presents Myra-Ida van der Veen, performing during the Rewire Festival 2024. Curated by our member Mike Rijnierse, who has been coaching the artist / musician since last year, the performance Second Breath will be a site specific performance developed within the acoustics of Quartair. Second Breath will be shown 3 times per day during the festival, as part of Proximity Music – a program put together by iii.
‘Second Breath’ performance by Myra-Ida van der Veen, Rewire Festival 2024. Photo by Pieter Kers
Second Breath performance times:
Friday 5 April 14:00-14:30 | 17:00-17:30 | 20:30-21:00 Saturday 6 April 14:00-14:30 | 17:00-17:30 | 20:30-21:00 Sunday 7 April 14:00-14:30 | 17:00-17:30 | 20:30-21:00
Free entrance. Limited number of seats per show: 40 (doors will be closed after the performance starts)
Second Breath is a performance that delves into the physicality of sound as it moves through the primal essence of the voice: the breath. Through this, the artist unravels the intricate relationship between the human body and the ethereal vibrations that emanate from within. When one sings, they fill their lungs with air. The air flows out, and by shaping different parts of their body, they create certain sounds: temporal voices, temporal breath. Drawing inspiration from the fascinating anatomy of frogs, van der Veen ingeniously crafts an environment that blurs the lines between choir, performance, and choreography.
Check out video documentation produced by iii/Tanja Busking:
In de tentoonstelling Het onbewaakte moment wordt het toeval omarmt en het belang van het proces zichtbaar gemaakt. De eigenheid van de kunstenaar, de voedingsbronnen waaruit dingen ontstaan, of wat er in de zijlijn gebeurt, zijn het uitgangspunt.
The creative process is central in Het onbewaakte moment (“The Unguarded Moment”). The exhibition features work by artists who open themselves to serendipity – finding fortunate or unexpected opportunities during their creative process. Coincidence, process, individuality and momentum come together in a dynamic presentation that can evolve during the exhibition period.
kunstenaars / artists:
Sigrid Adriaens Blanka de Bruyne Marc Claeijs Ronny Delrue Dana LaMonda Astrid Nobel Jessy Rahman Zeger Reyers Ingrid Rollema Pietertje van Splunter Thom Vink/Mekhlla Harrison
Opening foto’s door Dana LaMonda
Opening vrijdag 1 maart om 20.00 uur Deur open om 19.00 Openingstijden vrijdag, zaterdag en zondag van 13 tot 17.30 ur en op afspraak Hoogtij vrijdag 8 maart van 19–23 uur Lezing door Ronny Delrue Woensdag 20 maart 20 uur
