Bring 50 distinguished and cross-disciplinary artists together and things will crackle tremendously. That will be the thinking behind the new Academy of Arts. The installation of 16 new high-profile members already gave a taste of this.
Actor Gijs Scholten van Aschat (board member) and visual artist Barbara Visser (chairman) a while ago expressed himself somewhat cautiously about what the Academy should all be doing. Now the Academy of Arts presents itself as a mature organisation with many ambitions. Bring in good people and the rest will follow naturally. Because a motley crew of artists, young/old, male/female, going along/rebellious, albeit predominantly white, gives the Akademie more stature.
In terms of design, the Academy of Arts well. It received financial and moral support from the minister of OC&W and cultural funds in 2014 to prove itself within 3.5 years. Organisationally, it falls under the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, but functions independently. The accommodation is also worthy of note: the former Rijksmuseum, the Trippenhuis, a classic building built by wealthy brothers in arms. The artists can only add some atmosphere to the building.
Art and science
The Academy of Arts is realistic enough to realise that artists in particular do not want to be encapsulated by institutions. It is therefore about inspiring artists with what scientists are working on and vice versa. 'Science seeks meaning, art makes meaning,' clarifies artist and scientist Koert van Mensvoort afterwards. The Academy of Arts thus envisages a kind of core fusion: a society of cross-disciplinary artists providing inspiration for art in society.
Expensive names
Being installed as a member is also a bit like receiving an Oscar: after all, it means recognition and status. Because you are not admitted just like that. That happens on artistic merit and after 'quality consideration by peers'. And that, according to the Academy, is unique in the Netherlands. But the Academy of Arts does not want to be a dormant association with expensive names. You have to do something for it.
Entice or fight
Tonight already came the fine words. The sixteen were asked what they are fighting for or against as artists. There was, of course, one artist among them who questioned the legitimacy of the question itself. Wendelien van Oldenborgh is fine with the Academy becoming a combative institution. But she argues for more sensitivity in the arts rather than a fight or struggle.
Here's what other members said:
How stirring that one comes back from efficiency thinking concludes Poet Laureate Anne Vegter #KNAW #avk
- Cultural Press Agency (@culturalpress) April 1, 2015
Film education should be part of ckv because just everything is now image suggests Paula van der Oest #KNAW #avk - Cultural Press Agency (@culturalpress) April 1, 2015
Hans van Manen makes humorous video plea for appreciation of dance: it is still relatively too low #KNAW pic.twitter.com/cyTmvAXi9F
- Cultural Press Agency (@culturalpress) April 1, 2015
Keeping culture low-threshold with high quality = kicking in according to Tania Kross #KNAW #avk - Cultural Press Agency (@culturalpress) April 1, 2015
Modern dance is not incomprehensible says @ConnyJanssen with participation in So You Think You Can Dance #KNAW #SYTYCD pic.twitter.com/DPPTRBsx7F
- Cultural Press Agency (@culturalpress) April 1, 2015
Thinking is sadly not paid for filmmakers, according to documentary filmmaker Heddy Honigmann, and that needs attention #KNAW #avk - Cultural Press Agency (@culturalpress) April 1, 2015
Artists manoeuvre calculatingly instead of freely so we are in transition from post-war to pre-war. Hans van Houwelingen #KNAW #avk
- Cultural Press Agency (@culturalpress) April 1, 2015
As an artist, what are you fighting for or against? Power, according to visual artist Hans van Houwelingen. Because power lies in art. #KNAW - Cultural Press Agency (@culturalpress) April 1, 2015
Artist's narcissism is repugnant, new member Micha Hamel starts his argument #KNAW #avk
- Cultural Press Agency (@culturalpress) April 1, 2015
Popes and tyrants could not exist in poldered Netherlands explains new member urban and landscape architect Adriaan Geuze #KNAW #avk - Cultural Press Agency (@culturalpress) April 1, 2015
New member Michiel Borstlap sees important role Academy of Arts for up-and-coming talent #KNAW #avk
- Cultural Press Agency (@culturalpress) April 1, 2015
New member and graphic designer Irma Boom sees a new renaissance for the book: solidification of content vs flux of the internet #KNAW #avk - Cultural Press Agency (@culturalpress) April 1, 2015
New member Pierre Audi sees Academy of Arts as experimental exercise #avk pic.twitter.com/oEjaFwM5zp
- Cultural Press Agency (@culturalpress) April 1, 2015
Art should not focus on being attractive, otherwise it only advertises itself. Vzt Barbara Visser #avk - Cultural Press Agency (@culturalpress) April 1, 2015
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