On the second Wednesday of May we gathered for our seventh Construction Site Conversations gathering where about thirty experts, artist and curious neighbours met and discussed the development of two unsolicited proposals for public art works in the capital of The Netherlands. The board of the foundation and artists Annee Grøtte Viken and Aaro Murphy felt supported and motivated by everyone present in the gathering that took place inside Amsterdam’s newest Broedplaats, Baggerbeest.

The Construction Site Conversation was moderated by art historian and head of public art in the city of Dortmund, Jacques Heinrich Toussaint and Curator Jules van den Langenberg. Panel speakers included amongst others urbanist and supervisor of Amsterdam’s Sluisbuurt Burton Hamfelt, flax expert Ellen van der Vlugt, the Lead urban designer of the Department of urban planning and sustainability of the City of Amsterdam Paco Bunnik, advisor art and culture Amsterdam Zuid Rosita Roosblad, director or Research of the Gerrit Rietveld Academie and Sandberg Instituut Ruby Hoette, and chairman of ASKO Schools Steven Tan.

Processual artworks finding form: commissioning open-endedness

On 15 May 2024, the (Nelly&) Theo van Doesburg Foundation gathered the artists Aaro Murphy and Annee Grøtte Viken around different partners involved in the planned high-density, high-rise Sluisbuurt neighbourhood on Zeeburgereiland in Amsterdam. During such Construction Site Conversations, the Foundation connects emerging artists with various key players of a particular community. These projects are two of the most advanced plans of the Foundation’s growing index of unsolicited proposals for public artworks in Amsterdam-neighbourhoods that are still under development.

The artist Aaro Murphy proposed a work in which different scents anchor the passage of time – a non-visual clock of sorts for pupils of a planned primary school in the Sluisbuurt. Both the director of the school and the head of its larger consortium support the project and are engaged to find the necessary funding and production means for the work. The artist Annee Grøtte Viken proposed to plant circles of linseed in the Sluisbuurt that will provide the pigment for a site-specific painting. Annee Grøtte Viken has not yet found a partner to realise the work, but presented her project with a flax specialist to offer an in-depth perspective.

The Foundation positions itself as a collaborative partner that brings together alumni of Amsterdam based academies (notably the Gerrit Rietveld Academie and the Sandberg Instituut) with third parties to develop relevant long-term artistic projects in the city of Amsterdam. This model deviates from the more usual role of a project office that would commission artists to realise a work in public space. According to the Foundation’s chairman Jules van den Langenberg, the soon-to-be-developed Sluisbuurt has their particular focus as neighbourhoods that are still being planned can integrate more integral artistic projects. Inviting artists to conversations with builders and architects are the most effective in these instances.

In connecting emerging artists with partners such as future inhabitants, property developers, architects and public institutions, the (Nelly&) Theo van Doesburg Foundation responds to an increased waning of expertise of art in public space in Amsterdam that was heralded by the financial crisis of 2007-2008. Notably in 2012, the Amsterdam-based national organisation for art in public space (SKOR) disappeared, and with it its savoir-faire. Construction activity boomed again after the financial crisis, but the automatism of the self-reflexive commissioning of art in public space was not revived to the same degree. In this context, the (Nelly&) Theo van Doesburg Foundation aims to reframe what it means to commission (emerging) artists in a realm where private and public interests are becoming increasingly entangled.

If the church and the state have been the traditional commissioners for art in public space, today new alliances must be forged. The commissioning process has become more pluriform: the work needs to exist in more fluid timescales (what in vague terms is called ‘semi-permanent’) and with the involvement of a multitude of partners, also the financing becomes less straightforward. The result is that the ensuing artworks will be less sculptural monoliths, and more processual artworks. As Ruby Hoette, director of the Sandberg Instituut, explained during this Construction Site Conversation: “There is an urgency to see creative practice as something that is embedded in social structures. This means that the artist facilitates processes that do not have a finished outcome.”

With their multifaceted long-term projects, both artists respond to a reality where the artistic agency and commissioning process, but also the use and planned duration of the artwork are becoming ever more complex. If this open-endedness is an astute response to a neo-liberal reality that thrives on flexibility, it will still be necessary to hammer down what the exact commitment, agency, and responsibility of the artist and the community will be over the duration of such long-term projects. The Foundation aims to create a network of people and organisations that want to stick with the work in the future, understanding that it would need to become embedded within a community for it to function. As the needed care for such processual artworks can simply not be left to chance, orchestrating this will be the main challenge for the coming years.

Article by writer and curator Laurens Otto on the Construction Site Conversations gathering by (Nelly&)Theo van Doesburg Foundation.

About Construction Site Conversations
Artists thorben grobel (spazio cura), Annee Grøtte Viken, kitty maria van ekeren, elise ehry, franziska goralski, carly rose bedford, aaro murphy and philip coyne collaborate with the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation on their unsolicited ideas for cultural development for the yet to be built neighbourhood in the capital of the netherlands.

each directed towards a different organisation, company or property developer, the proposals tackle six different sites and topics. the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation seeks investment for further development and production of these public art works. the process is curated by jules van den langenberg and upcoming guest curators.

Every second Wednesday of the month of May the (Nelly&)Theo van Doesburg Foundation organizes their activity programme Construction Site Conversations,

upon request and for special occasions the show and tell format around proposals for new public art works in the City of Amsterdam is organized on other moments. As such, in February 2023 a Construction Site Conversation where about thirty experts, artist and curious neighbours met and discussed the development of an unsolicited proposal for a public art work in the capital of the netherlands. the board of the foundation and artist Carly Rose Bedford teamed up with the Art & Public Space (LAPS)/The City lectorate and the Research department of Gerrit Rietveld Academie and Sandberg Instituut to discuss ideas around plot thinking and an idea for a landmark at the new ferry stop of Sluisbuurt in Amsterdam made out of glass blown with locally found sand.

The construction site conversation was opened by a keynote of Patricia de Vries, and moderated by boardmembers Nadine van den Bosch, Marjo van Baar and Jules van den Langenberg. The gathering was complimented by an activation of a recently finished public art work, a barbecue table by artist Bin Koh.

about construction site conversations
artists thorben grobel (spazio cura), annee grøtte viken, kitty maria van ekeren, elise ehry, franziska goralski, carly rose bedford, aaro murphy and philip coyne collaborate with the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation on their unsolicited ideas for cultural development for the yet to be built neighbourhood in the capital of the netherlands.

each directed towards a different organisation, company or property developer, the proposals tackle six different sites and topics. the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation seeks investment for further development and production of these public art works. the process is curated by jules van den langenberg and upcoming guest curators.

mural public art work proposal
(nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation and artist philip coyne propose a public art work in which the artist and inhabitants of the first self build group (cpo) initiative “de nieuwe uitleg” in the new neighbourhood sluisbuurt collaborate on the content and possibly even production of a mural together. the dialogue between coyne and inhabitants is to start with discussing about life as a force, as a reproductive practice and as a fundamentally collective phenomenon. Download the public art work proposal and get in touch via nadine@theovandoesburgstichting.nl to join the development or sponsor the further realisation of the work.

Introducing (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundations’ publicart work programme
Since 1987 the theo van doesburg foundation strives to realise visual art projects and initiate formats that generate positions and commissions for emerging- and early career artists that studied or resided in amsterdam. based on the placemaking terrain of sluisbuurt in amsterdam since 2011, the foundation collaborates with artists to develop scenarios for different public art works in the neighbourhood currently still under construction. parallel to the building process a public programme introduces neighbours, property developers, investors and other stakeholders with ideas on six themes that are key to the identity of the new neighbourhood sluisbuurt.

construction site conversations
artists thorben grobel (spazio cura), Annee Grøtte Viken, kitty maria van ekeren, elise ehry, franziska goralski, carly rose bedford, aaro murphy and philip coyne collaborate with the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation on their unsolicited ideas for cultural development for the yet to be built neighbourhood in the capital of the netherlands.

each directed towards a different organisation, company or property developer, the proposals tackle six different sites and topics. the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation seeks investment for further development and production of these public art works. the process is curated by project space reneenee and jules van den langenberg.

Every second Wednesday of the month of May the (Nelly&)Theo van Doesburg Foundation organizes their activity programme Construction Site Conversations,

upon request and for special occasions the show and tell format around proposals for new public art works in the City of Amsterdam is organized on other moments. As such, in November 2022 a Construction Site Conversation where about thirty experts, artist and curious neighbours met and discussed the development of an unsolicited proposal for a public art work in the capital of the netherlands. the board of the foundation and artists Phil Coyne, Carly Rose Bedford and Kitty Maria van Ekeren teamed up to discuss ideas for a new commoners' garden for a residential tower in Sluisbuurt, a landmark at the new ferry stop of the neighbourhood made out of glass blown with locally found sand and a mural made collective by a self building group in the newest living are of the city.

The construction site conversation was moderated by boardmember Marjo van Baar and curators Kristoffer Zeiner and Kim Wawer. The gathering was complimented by an activation of a site specific prototype for a ground oven by artist Elia Castino.

about construction site conversations
artists thorben grobel (spazio cura), annee grøtte viken, kitty maria van ekeren, elise ehry, franziska goralski, carly rose bedford, aaro murphy and philip coyne collaborate with the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation on their unsolicited ideas for cultural development for the yet to be built neighbourhood in the capital of the netherlands.

each directed towards a different organisation, company or property developer, the proposals tackle six different sites and topics. the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation seeks investment for further development and production of these public art works. the process is curated by jules van den langenberg and upcoming guest curators.

Underground River public art work proposal
(nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation and artist carly rose bedford reintroduce how built environments are related to water, and tap into their potential to inform cultural meaning-making and contemporary mythology. the public art work proposal “underground river” proposes a glass sculpture made from the grains of sand drilled from the many layers of the amsterdam’s sluisbuurt soil, marking the temporary ferry stop that takes people from central amsterdam to the sluisbuurt area. Download the public art work proposal and get in touch via nadine@theovandoesburgstichting.nl to join the development or sponsor the further realisation of the work.

Introducing (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundations’ publicart work programme
Since 1987 the theo van doesburg foundation strives to realise visual art projects and initiate formats that generate positions and commissions for emerging- and early career artists that studied or resided in amsterdam. based on the placemaking terrain of sluisbuurt in amsterdam since 2011, the foundation collaborates with artists to develop scenarios for different public art works in the neighbourhood currently still under construction. parallel to the building process a public programme introduces neighbours, property developers, investors and other stakeholders with ideas on six themes that are key to the identity of the new neighbourhood sluisbuurt.

construction site conversations
artists thorben grobel (spazio cura), annee grote viken, kitty maria van ekeren, elise ehry, franziska goralski, carly rose bedford, aaro murphy and philip coyne collaborate with the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation on their unsolicited ideas for cultural development for the yet to be built neighbourhood in the capital of the netherlands.

each directed towards a different organisation, company or property developer, the proposals tackle six different sites and topics. the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation seeks investment for further development and production of these public art works. the process is curated by project space reneenee and jules van den langenberg.

Olfactory public art work proposal
(nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation and artist aaro murphy proposes a public art work in which the smell of a given place can act as an anchor, a tool for grounding the body in a particular place and time. engaging the students, staff and neighbours of the primary school asko, planned to open in the sluisbuurt neighbourhood in 2023 and waste management builders marimetic through scent of an olfactory installation in or around the school. Download the public art work proposal and get in touch via nadine@theovandoesburgstichting.nl to join the development or sponsor the further realisation of the work.

Introducing (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundations’ publicart work programme
Since 1987 the theo van doesburg foundation strives to realise visual art projects and initiate formats that generate positions and commissions for emerging- and early career artists that studied or resided in amsterdam. based on the placemaking terrain of sluisbuurt in amsterdam since 2011, the foundation collaborates with artists to develop scenarios for different public art works in the neighbourhood currently still under construction. parallel to the building process a public programme introduces neighbours, property developers, investors and other stakeholders with ideas on six themes that are key to the identity of the new neighbourhood sluisbuurt.

construction site conversations
artists thorben grobel (spazio cura), Annee Grøtte Viken, kitty maria van ekeren, elise ehry, franziska goralski, carly rose bedford, aaro murphy and philip coyne collaborate with the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation on their unsolicited ideas for cultural development for the yet to be built neighbourhood in the capital of the netherlands.

each directed towards a different organisation, company or property developer, the proposals tackle six different sites and topics. the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation seeks investment for further development and production of these public art works. the process is curated by project space reneenee and jules van den langenberg.

linseed oil schoolyard public art work proposal
(nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation and artist annee grøtte viken propose the linseed oil schoolyard, a garden and a site-specific artwork for the inner courtyard of the new building of hogeschool inholland in sluisbuurt. the garden will provide the materials for the artwork. it will grow flax to produce linseed oil and plants to produce pigments, (these plants will also be suitable to eat or refine into other products.) the flax plant will also provide tools that will be used for painting. the extracted material will be used to paint objects, furniture or interior elements of the courtyard itself or extend into other parts of the building such as the student dorms or hallways. the painting will be made in response to the process and the materials that is extracted from the schoolyard. Download the public art work proposal and get in touch via nadine@theovandoesburgstichting.nl to join the development or sponsor the further realisation of the work.

Introducing (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundations’ publicart work programme
Since 1987 the theo van doesburg foundation strives to realise visual art projects and initiate formats that generate positions and commissions for emerging- and early career artists that studied or resided in amsterdam. based on the placemaking terrain of sluisbuurt in amsterdam since 2011, the foundation collaborates with artists to develop scenarios for different public art works in the neighbourhood currently still under construction. parallel to the building process a public programme introduces neighbours, property developers, investors and other stakeholders with ideas on six themes that are key to the identity of the new neighbourhood sluisbuurt.

construction site conversations
artists thorben grobel (spazio cura), Annee Grøtte Viken, kitty maria van ekeren, elise ehry, franziska goralski, carly rose bedford, aaro murphy and philip coyne collaborate with the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation on their unsolicited ideas for cultural development for the yet to be built neighbourhood in the capital of the netherlands.

each directed towards a different organisation, company or property developer, the proposals tackle six different sites and topics. the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation seeks investment for further development and production of these public art works. the process is curated by project space reneenee and jules van den langenberg.

hosting soil as a gift public art work proposal
(nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation and artists elise ehry, kitty maria and franziska goralski think of the first group of inhabitants of the sluisbuurt and how to arrive in a community. The public art work proposal "hosting soil as a gift" offers a new perspective on the welcoming gift, and encompasses a ritual that refers back to the soil on which the houses are built and with which the buildings are possibly heated. “hosting soil” is an invitation and at the same time a gift that could be seen as a precious moment for grounding, connection and creativity. it is an act of care and offers space for expression and activation of impact for new inhabitants of the first residential building of sluisbuurt, saref. Download the public art work proposal and get in touch via nadine@theovandoesburgstichting.nl to join the development or sponsor the further realisation of the work.

Introducing (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundations’ publicart work programme
Since 1987 the theo van doesburg foundation strives to realise visual art projects and initiate formats that generate positions and commissions for emerging- and early career artists that studied or resided in amsterdam. based on the placemaking terrain of sluisbuurt in amsterdam since 2011, the foundation collaborates with artists to develop scenarios for different public art works in the neighbourhood currently still under construction. parallel to the building process a public programme introduces neighbours, property developers, investors and other stakeholders with ideas on six themes that are key to the identity of the new neighbourhood sluisbuurt.

construction site conversations
artists thorben grobel (spazio cura), Annee Grøtte Viken, kitty maria van ekeren, elise ehry, franziska goralski, carly rose bedford, aaro murphy and philip coyne collaborate with the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation on their unsolicited ideas for cultural development for the yet to be built neighbourhood in the capital of the netherlands.

each directed towards a different organisation, company or property developer, the proposals tackle six different sites and topics. the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation seeks investment for further development and production of these public art works. the process is curated by project space reneenee and jules van den langenberg.

reed field public art work proposal
(nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation and spatial practioner Spazio Cura imagine tools for nature maintenance and place-specific tourism for people and animals on the inside and outside of the dikes of the sluisbuurt in the public art work proposal “reed field” . the goal of the project is to gain the necessary knowledge and experience to create an extensive space of reed that is harvested and made into objects, sculptures and architecture during the first decade of the neighbourhoods’ existence, together with the national ecological network and municipality of amsterdam. Download the public art work proposal and get in touch via nadine@theovandoesburgstichting.nl to join the development or sponsor the further realisation of the work.

Introducing (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundations’ publicart work programme
Since 1987 the theo van doesburg foundation strives to realise visual art projects and initiate formats that generate positions and commissions for emerging- and early career artists that studied or resided in amsterdam. based on the placemaking terrain of sluisbuurt in amsterdam since 2011, the foundation collaborates with artists to develop scenarios for different public art works in the neighbourhood currently still under construction. parallel to the building process a public programme introduces neighbours, property developers, investors and other stakeholders with ideas on six themes that are key to the identity of the new neighbourhood sluisbuurt.

construction site conversations
artists thorben grobel (spazio cura), Annee Grøtte Viken, kitty maria van ekeren, elise ehry, franziska goralski, carly rose bedford, aaro murphy and philip coyne collaborate with the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation on their unsolicited ideas for cultural development for the yet to be built neighbourhood in the capital of the netherlands.

each directed towards a different organisation, company or property developer, the proposals tackle six different sites and topics. the (nelly&)theo van doesburg foundation seeks investment for further development and production of these public art works. the process is curated by project space reneenee and jules van den langenberg.