How can people with a refugee background remember their first place of residence in the Netherlands if there are no longer any traces of this place?

Thousands of Dutch people have memories of a time spent in AZCs across the country, but there is no physical archive of this part of Dutch heritage. How can people with refugee backgrounds remember their first place of residence in the Netherlands if there are no longer any traces of this place?

How can we reflect on and dwell on places where we have to spend a certain period of time, without knowing when the period ends? Places where memories were created that define our identity formation and at the same time provide a sense of 'home'? How do we remember these places that sometimes no longer exist? What does it mean for those involved if these places disappear abruptly, without a physical archive?

While Awaiting an Unknown Future presents the work of two artists - Karen G. and Ribal El Khatib - that they made while living in an asylum seekers' centre (AZC).

Architect and artist Ribal El Khatib started the work The Gap during his stay in six different AZCs. Everywhere he encountered exactly the same anonymous interior. The Gap shows furniture as a recurring element in different capacities. Recognisable for anyone who has ever lived in an AZC.

Ten years ago, Karen G., a former resident of AZC Klompjan in Markelo, built an accurate model of the AZC where he stayed. The AZC in Markelo was closed in 2012. With that, it was no longer accessible as a meeting place or lieux de memoire, which it was for the (former) residents. As a substitute, the model is an object of remembrance for many.

Framer Framed collaborated with the artists, Milena Mulders and Hanneke Verbeek on this presentation, which can be seen alongside Gluklya's exhibition: To those who have no time to play.

Data

3 Nov - 22 Jan 2023, Tues-Sun 12:00-18:00 (free admission)

Location

Framer Framed, Oranje-Vrijstaatkade 71, 1093 KS Amsterdam

This exhibition is part of the project Tussenlanding: a tangible memory of temporality. It has been made possible in part by the Cultural Participation Fund / Explore the Faro Way of Working, DOEN Foundation and VSB Fund.

Framer Framed made possible with support from Ministry of Education, Culture and Science; Amsterdam Fund for the Arts; Stadsdeel Oost.