Guest in Quartair

Upcoming: The Automatic Self (and the gifted hand)

Zaterdag 15 april t/m zondag 7 mei 2023
Opening op zaterdag 15 april om 17.00 uur
Met: Rachel Bacon, Siem Beets, Ronny Delrue, Daniel Dmyszewicz, Elsa Hartjesveld, Romy Muijrers, Jorrit Paaijmans, Jeroen Paalvast en Stefanie Scholte.

The Automatic Self (and the gifted hand)
De titel duidt op het feit dat tekenen handwerk is. Het is een directe handeling die uitdrukking geeft aan een gedachte. Het verwijst naar de menselijke behoefte om de werkelijkheid vast te leggen en te controleren. Wellicht tekenen we om de chaos te beteugelen, door alles te registreren en vast te leggen. Tegelijkertijd is dat ook een onmogelijkheid, denk aan het ongecontroleerde, het toeval of de vergetelheid. In hoeverre spelen omstandigheden, toeval en automatische mechanismen een rol in het werk van de kunstenaar, in dit geval de ‘tekenaar’? Wat gebeurd er in ons hoofd als we zonder er bij na te denken een krabbel maken op een bierviltje, of diep verzonken zijn in een detail van een tekening, terwijl we tegelijkertijd aan het piekeren zijn wat we vanavond weer gaan eten? En laat deze ‘skill’ die de kunstenaar bezit een authentieke versie van zichzelf zien? Wat gebeurt er als je het tekenen laat uitvoeren door een machine en als het handschrift niet meer van de maker zelf, maar van een apparaat is? Deze tentoonstelling toont tekeningen op snijvlak van het controleerbare en oncontroleerbare en geeft inzicht in dit spanningsveld.

Header image: Jorrit Paaijmans: inDRain#04 | ink-paper | 2006

Weird Angles – Hoogtij

For this edition of Hoogtij #73 we present Weird Angles, with works by Gerco de Ruijter, Thom Vink, and radio collaboration with RadioTonka bringing DJs dsrpturs, Margarita, 4/4 en Robber. Doors open at 19.00. Free entrance.

Besides screening the film ‘Grid Corrections XL’ by Gerco de Ruijter (2018), Quartair artist Thom Vink will show a new photo installation, and Radio Tonka presents an audio-visual performance by Zethera Elektrika at 19.30, 21.00 & 22.30.

RadioTonka will be live from Quartair from 23:00 to 03:00 AM on Den Haag FM.

EN
RadioTonka is The Hague’s underground radio station, since 1994. Next to a diverse night broadcast program on DenHaag FM, RadioTonka functions as a roaming stage and platform, supporting djs and musicians, with a focus on new talent, experimentation and artistic growth.

NL
Sinds 1994 is RadioTonka het alternatieve radiostation van Den Haag. Naast decdagelijkse nachtradio programmering op DenHaag FM, fungeert RadioTonka als een nomadisch podium en platform ter ondersteuning van dj’s en muzikanten, toegespitst op nieuw talent, experiment en artistieke groei.

Zethera Elektrika presents a new koncept of reality that tackles the kore fundamental problems of the universe that we are konfronted, preventing us from kreating a utopia that lies within reach of us all.

Zethera Elektrika reveals the true nature of the divine force that lies at the essence of our being and shapes our realities, and guides all that lives and is blessed with the power of konsiousness.

About ‘Grid Corrections XL’ by Gerco de Ruijter (2018)

After the US Civil War in 1785 president Thomas Jefferson established a grid-system in order to allocate the North American West. This so called “Thomas Jefferson Grid” was made by superimposing a rectangular grid on the earth surface, drawn from exact square miles.
Since a round earth does not lend itself to a repeating network of equal-sized squares, the checkerboard of roads is fractionally shifted.
Take a square piece of paper, wrap it around an orange and observe the tapering folds in the paper, If you want to cover the earth with checkerboards, you can only do so if you outsmart the folds in the paper. The system has to be corrected in order to continue as though nothing has been corrected.

The north-south boundaries in the grid are on the lines of longitude, which converge to the north. The roads that follow these boundaries must dogleg every twenty-four miles to counter the diminishing distances: It is easy to see in Google Earth how these repeated corrections have produced fascinating crossroads: T-Junctions, straight or curved, and always inventive.

Gerco de Ruijter collected hundreds of these corrections and created this stop-motion film as a dazzling way of how humanity has tried to exert control over the earth. Nature may seem stronger than humanity, but at the same time humans constantly manage to overcome nature with their boundless inventiveness.

Grid Corrections (The Book) was published by nai010:
nai010.com/nl/publicaties/gerco-de-ruijter-grid-corrections/240707

The film was made possible with the generous support of the Mondrian Fund, Amsterdam.

Non Linear Narrative Tech Week

Workshop 16-20 January 2023

Continuing the project started in 2022, Quartair hosted the KABK masters of Non Linear Narrative Tech Week, with a workshop led by artists Martijn van Boven and Gert-Jan Prins, exploring the full sound spectrum to find relationships between bandwidths with respect to energy transfer, clock speed and environmental impact. Work sessions included deep listening practices, writing sessions, electronic circuit building, signal recording and signal transformation.

Martijn van Boven is a visual artist from Amsterdam, with a focus on experimental films and computer generated art. His work is expressed through installations, films, collaborations with composers, and cinema performances.

Gert-Jan Prins is a sound artist who focuses on the sonic and musical qualities of electronic noise and percussion and investigates its relationship with the visual. While he started his career as a drummer, his works include performances, sound-installations, compositions, electronic circuits.

Photos by Roel Backaert

Garden of Aether

An evening where Adam Centko shared his latest project, commissioned by Slargwerk Den Haag. Drinks and bites designed by Trang Ha and Alejandra Lopez Martinez. DJs: Andre Miranda and Ola Rubik.

“Garden of Aether” is a simulation artwork that combines 3D aesthetics, game engine mechanics, and sounds by Slagwerk Den Haag to create a conceptual narrative dealing with sustainability and reflecting on the invisible infrastructures that fuel the digital environments.

Adam intended to create a new kind of moving image, one that will be ever-changing and never the same, but also keeps moving image structure and has a beginning and end. The medium of a computer simulation is about giving up control and actively becoming an observer. The confined digital landscape and the physical hardware give the viewer a unique perspective that draws analogies from the world around them. The mechanics of the simulation are inspired by the Anthropocene. As long as the characters keep producing sculptures and altering the natural environment, the temperature will keep on rising. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what the characters are programmed to do.
The sculptures that the NPCs build are not only visual, but each one also contains a sonic element designed by Frank Bink, a member of SDH. These sonic elements populate the landscape and are accurately delivered to the viewer using a quadraphonic speaker setup. Each new sculpture introduces a new sample, creating a cacophony of three-dimensional sounds. The landscape then becomes both visually and sonically saturated.

The project is developed in Unreal Engine 5. The 3D assets have been created using VR sculpting, Blender, and Substance Painter. The hardware is placed within a custom-built PC case, which has been laser-cut from an aluminum sheet and then bent into the shape of a rib cage.

Centko is a lens-based artist observing the intricate workings of our ecosystem. Specifically zooming in on the role of technology in the nature as a whole, Adam believes that the relationship between nature and tech isn’t binary, but rather that even the most advanced human feats are just extension of nature. He strives to shine light on this connection using various media such as video and 3D animation. The artist is currently supported by the Stimuleringsfonds Talent Development Grant. Adam Centko thanks the support of Trang Ha, Carmen Roca Igual, Laimonas Zakas and Mike Rijnierse at Quartair, October 13th, 2022.

Concept/3D art Adam Centko
Lead development Eusebi Jucglà
Audio Samples Frank Bink
Production David Veneman
Typeface (Tonka) Celine Hurka
Website Manus Nijhoff
3D modeling Samuel Rynearson
Commissioned by Slagwerk Den Haag

Read more on:
garden-of-aether.com
adamcentko.com

Eigen beweging

Stretching reality, images, drawings and paint work

A duo show with Ellen Endhoven Dwight Marica
from 16th to 25th September 2022

Ellen Endhoven and Dwight Marica studied at the Willem de Koooning, having graduated in 1997. Dwight was the founder of Cucosa, Rotterdam (1998-2012). In 2012 Ellen started Portable Collective after years organising underground exhibitions. For nine years they have been sharing a studio and collaborating under the moniker Marica Endhoven. In Eigen beweging they show an overview of their artworks at both Quartair and Ruimtevaart.

Opening on Friday, 16 September at 20.00, doors open at 19:00

Exhibition:
Saturday 17 Sep 13.00–17.00
Sunday 18 Sep 13.00–17.00
Wednesday 21 Sep 13.00–17.00
Thursday 22 Sep 13.00–17.00
Friday 23 Sep 13.00–17.00 and during Hoogtij#70 19.00–23.00
Saturday 24 Sep 13.00–17.00
Sunday 25 Sep 13.00–17.00

About the artists
The city, people and society are an inexhaustible source of inquiry for Ellen Endhoven’s works. In her collages, drawings, paintings, murals, stickers, animations, 3D objects and installations one sees, at first glance, everyday things. Though if you look further, you will see a representation of our human shortcomings and unrealistic expectations.
In 2019 she started to create intricate ink-drawings of waves. They evolved during the pandemic, with all debates, beliefs, and the rise of fake news, while the world had stopped. This context helped her develop more abstract works. Besides the social aspect in the work it also tackles environmental questions.

Dwight Marica explores new techniques and insights, in search of the most suitable expression, to arrive at new art forms. An important guiding principle in his work is the investigation of the absolutely abstract, through physics and psychology.
“I want to continue to amaze the audience, but especially myself, by letting us experience performances that are written in a new, developing visual language.
I try to scare reality, stretch its boundaries, activate the mind, to add something timeless to reality.”

Quartair
Toussaintkade 55,
The Hague

needs must (when the devil drives)

Needs Must is a piece of avant-garde theatre created and performed by Petra van Beuningen and Charlie Watkins. Petra’s theatre talent, recognised in numerous theatrical projects, combines with Charlie’s Shitcluster experience to create a quirky tale of sex and violence spread over 60 minutes. The piece will be performed four times with technical support from Rob Bothof.

Entry is free with no seat reservation. First come, first served basis, with maximum 50 visitors per performance. Once visitors are admitted, the doors will be closed and the performance will begin with no further admittance. Please come in plenty of time.

Friday 17 June doors open at 20.00
Saturday 18 June doors open at 15.00
Saturday 18 June doors open at 20.00
Sunday 19 June 22 doors open at 15.00

The bar will open after each performance with musical entertainment.

The Other Book 2022

This year we proudly receive the second edition of The Other Book, the artists’ book fair with over 60 independent book makers alongside HOK and the Grafische Werkplaats Den Haag.

Fri 27 May   19.00-23.00   Opening Hoogtij
Sat 28 May   13.00-19.00   Exhibition
Sun 29 May   13.00-19.00   Exhibition followed by after party

The second edition of The Other Book, from May 27 to 29, is devoted to the underground: artists’ books and other printed matter ephemera of the counterculture; from the past and from the present. The exhibition opens in the occasion of Hoogtij #69, the Contemporary Art Tour of The Hague.

The Other Book provides a platform for artists, publishers, print rooms, collectives, art libraries, collectors, and book enthusiasts from all secret corners of the world. Come and browse through a collection of underground artists’ books and artistic publications beyond your wildest imagination.

By creating a stage for both local and international artists and underground publishers, The Other Book serves as a place of exchange. The extensive program explores artistic practices, conceptual publications, and the seemingly endless possibilities of the self- or independently published artist’s book and artistic publications.

Jezus Cinco performing at the after part, May 29th

After Party Sunday, May 29, 20:30: performances by Jezus Cinco, Strict Nurse and Gökay Atabek, from Vølksamt!. Read more >

VENUES
Quartair
Grafische Werkplaats Den Haag
HOK

theotherbook.eu

Supported by:

Hoogtij #68 ‘OPEN’

On Friday, March 4th, in the occasion of Hoogtij #68, we will function as open studio, with works, fragments, processes, music by artists from Quartair and guests.

This will be an experimental place for works in progress or works that were never shown before. One wall will be reserved for an interactive action: visitors are invited to add drawings or statements with glow-in-the-dark painting. The results will be seen and experienced at the end of the evening.

With Sophia Boeschoten, Mekhlla Harrison, Zuza Zgierska, Louis Braddock Clarke, Blanka de Bruyne, Marlies Adriaanse, Thom Vink, Jessy Rahman, Dana LaMonda, Jessica de Wolf, Wieteke Heldens, Astrid Nobel, Geeske Harting, Pietertje van Splunter, Harold de Bree and Mike Rijnierse.

HOOGTIJ is a cultural tour throughout the art spaces of The Hague, taking place four times a year, on Fridays from 7-11 PM. It includes various locations and exhibitions often with extra activities. Free entrance.

QUARTAIR opens this Friday, March 4th, at 19:00.
The exhibition runs through the weekend, March 5th-6th, from 13:00 to 17:00.

Address:
Toussaintkade 55, 2513 CL
Den Haag

Support for Ukraine | This Friday Quartair sells postcards and posters made by Ukrainian artists capturing life in their homeland. The revenue is dedicated to humanitarian aid in Ukraine.

Header image: Louis B. Clarke & Zuzanna Zgierska

Non Linear Narrative Tech Week 2022

How to bridge the digital realm with the physical experience? Rather than visualizing data on the screen, in this Tech Week we focused on interpreting information, social trends and ecological phenomena as alternative adventures, including visual, audible, olfactory and even gustative experience.

Having the internet as (real-time) input, six projects were conceived, designed and coded, translating bytes into dynamic installations and performative (inter)actions.

The Tech Week 2022 was hosted by Rob Bothof, Mike Rijnierse and Ludmila Rodrigues at Quartair, as an immersive and experimental workshop for the Non Linear Narrative masters of the Royal Academy of Art (KABK), between February 7th and 11th, 2022.

Participants: Lisette Alberti, Coco Maier, Kateryna Gaidamaka, Paul Mielke; Shouyi He, Julija Panova, Alicja Konkol; Eszter Nagy, Karolina Uskakovych, Daan Veerman; Lode Dijkers & Daniel Gremme; Leonie Gores & Camille Noray; Niels Otterman, Akina López, Jeroen van den Bogaert.

Case Study: The Corporate Stoner

Opening Saturday, Nov 6th at 17.00
Exhibition from Friday to Sunday, 13.00 to 18.00
Hoogtij #67 *Saturday, Nov 27th, 14.00 to 18.00
Last day: Sunday, Nov 28th,13.00 to 18.00

With works by:
Rinella Alfonso
Vitaly Bezpalov
Daniele Formica
Bernhard Holaschke
Myrofora Kachrimanidou
Karin Kytokangas
Nandi Loaf
Narges Mohammadi + Bernie Autsema
Christian Roncea
Tommy Smits
Suyoung Yang

Curated by Christian Roncea

Accompanying zine-publication by Ian Scheufler & Christian Roncea, including interviews and conversations with Mats Andersen (admin @afffirmations), Sanne Ten Brink (head curator at ING art collection), Arthur Cordier & Valentino Russo (founders The Balcony), Sanne Luteijn (gallery manager Billytown) and more to come.

Graphic Design by Ian Scheufler

Curatorial statement: “Case Study: The Corporate Stoner” is a research-based project which explores the spectrum of artistic autonomy. I invited along artists, whose working methods are distinct from each other, with the intent to let the works cross-pollinate meanings and points of views, diving in a web of multi-faceted narratives which question human condition. “The human element” present in this group show is multi-linear, deconstructed, and ghostlike. Irony, melancholia, ecstasy, banality and vulnerability come together in a disillusioned “recreational office area”. By entering in a multi-disciplinary environment, the selected works give shape to an alternative and fluid type of reading art, inviting the visitors to follow their own narrative when experiencing the show.

The phrase “Corporate Stoner” refers to a company employee who secretly uses cannabis. This employee, even if defying the rules of the company, keeps a professional look and maintains productivity. I would like to look at artists of our times from the same perspective while looking at the larger art-world as one big company. If using cannabis can be seen as a labor-related escapism, fiction and critique can be seen as coping mechanisms for a speculative and precarious art market.

From a parodic standpoint, “The Corporate Stoner” is, metaphorically, an artist who challenges the status quo, but deals “professionally” with bureaucracy or capitalist structures. How does an artist reach autonomy today? Are we sacrificing financial stability in return of artistic freedom and/or the other way around?

With thanks to Stroom Den Haag

VENUESQuartairGrafische Werkplaats Den HaagHOK

VENUES
Quartair
Grafische Werkplaats Den Haag
HOK