‘There, I Fixed It’
Unruly solutions to urgent problems
13 March–15 May 2011
Stroom Den Haag
Hogewal 1-9
2514 HA The Hague
The Netherlands
T +31-70 3658985
info [at] stroom.nl
www.stroom.nl
R. Buckminster Fuller
‘There, I Fixed It’ stands for an attitude, a way of looking at materials and problems that is at the same time bold and unexpected. These problems can be small and trivial, but also large and global. The exhibition features R. Buckminster Fuller (USA), Krijn Giezen (NL), René Heyvaert (BE), Mark Manders with Roger Willems (NL), Reto Pulfer (CH), Josué Rauscher (FR) and presents work that is characterized by the ability to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. The artists succeed in doing this through their unique use of materials, a different view on what is useful and a great feeling for improvisation, self-sufficiency and temporality. Directly or indirectly, in a concrete or poetic way, they avoid dominant economic strategies and production models, thereby showing us unruly solutions to urgent problems. The work of the late Krijn Giezen (who passed away last January) is an important point of reference for this way of working. In the words of author Alex de Vries: “Krijn Giezen is a beachcomber of the human condition. He collects the stuff another person throws away, in order to give it new meaning.”
Opening reception on Saturday March 12, 2011
4 pm: conversation Reto Pulfer and Pieternel Vermoortel (curator and critic at FormContent, London).
5 pm: opening by Simon Delobel (curator Retrospective exhibition Krijn Giezen at the Verbeke Foundation (Kemzeke, Belgium).
Additional program
On May 12, 2011, within the framework of ‘There, I Fixed It’, the Dutch branch of the e-flux Time/Bank of Julieta Aranda and Anton Vidokle will be opened. Under the title Stroom School an enriching side program of guided tours, a dumpster-diving travel, lectures and workshops will take place.
‘There, I Fixed It’ is part of ‘Upcycling’, a program which takes place over the course of several years and investigates new perspectives in the creation of value in architecture, visual arts, everyday use and economy. Whereas last year ‘Up to You’ focused on an open system to create value and meaning, ‘There, I Fixed It’ presents creative solutions in order to manipulate reality.
Acknowledgements
Mondriaan Foundation, The Netherlands Architecture Fund, Stichting DOEN, Cera Maatschappelijke Projecten, Pro Helvetia, Buckminster Fuller Institute, Rijksbureau voor Kunsthistorische Documentatie, Audax Textielmuseum.
*Image above:
Courtesy Tilton Gallery, New York.
Photo by Dawoud Bey.
