project12:Challenge
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NDSM/Kinetisch Noord plans to transform the wharf into a multidisciplinary and experimental working space for the visual arts, while retaining its cultural heritage within the shipdock. Their chosen growth model for the 80,000sqm is a combination of constructing functional and affordable space for international artists while continuously invigorating the area with local cultural activities.
As both entities have a strong presence in their own way, this project seeks to allow both to develop individually, and will investigate and explore the connectivity between both the international arts and the cultural arts.
As work places for the international artists and place setting for the cultural activities are mostly predefined, it is the interstitial spaces and spill areas that allows maximum opportunities for both entities to collide, exchange and collaborate. These areas, which are often overlooked and disregarded, should be explored further and used to enhance the cohesiveness and harmony of the area, inspiring both entities to meet and work together, which will result in an emergence of a single entity of that merges international art and local culture.
Images adapted from Siteless by Francois Blanciak
The project's starting ideas involves strands, straps and bundles, folding and parasitic architecture:
1) Strands and Straps and Bundles allow the build up of physical connection between buildings
2) Folding allows the unveiling of the buildings, exposing their works secretly to others, increasing its allureness
3) Parasitic allows one entity to feed off another, creating a symbiotic between both entities
Site Visit
Mandy Haakmeester
Productieleidering Programmering, Stichting NDSM-Werf
On a weekday visit to the Kunststad at the NDSM Werf, you may find many designers and artists hard at work, or none at all. However, in a cosy studio within the Kunststad, you will find Many Haakmeester, the festival organiser of NDSM Werf.
In a brief exchange of words, she explains that the absence of artists in the Kunststad is that many of the designers may be out in the city organising their exhibitions, putting on plays or just working on their own projects elsewhere. Most designers work at the Kunststad during their free time, developing new ideas or completing existing projects.
The greatest benefit of having a studio space in the Kunststad, she added, is the cheap rent. In addition, the big open spaces allow many of the artists to work and display their sculptures outside their studio, proving a glimpse to other creative agents on their project. This tends to spark inspiration in others or potentially a collaboration with other designers. Furthermore, the variety of creative agents within the Kunststad allows the designers to discuss and tap on the expertise of other tenants.
As for Mandy, she is in charge of organising festivals in the NDSM werf, such as the Picnic Festival in September 2011 and the IJ Hall in February 2012, the largest flea market in the Netherlands. These festivals bring all kinds of people to NDSM werf, exploring the creativity of the kunststad and simply enjoying the gathering in the big open space.
The next event will be the Queen's Birthday Festival, on 30 April 2012. Be sure to turn up in orange!
Click here for the official page of NDSM Werf or here for the Facebook fanpage
Rick
Bar Attendent at Noorderlicht Cafe
