DREAM AMSTERDAM 2012: GIRL, YOU’LL BE A WOMAN SOON
30 October–5 December 2012
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
After editions with Spencer Tunick (2007), Ryoji Ikeda (2008), and Peter Funch (2009), Dream Amsterdam Foundation focuses on a theme: The Woman from A to Z. Through the ages, women have been represented in various ways. Still, it’s pretty difficult to pin down what a woman is. We can, though, explore ‘the essence of woman.’
GIRL, YOU’LL BE A WOMAN SOON is an elaborate program that explores this essence through artistic expression of both female and male artists, where the woman is central to various forms of imagination and meaning. The event is not solely geared towards women, but is also an invitation for men to behold, (re)discover and explore the woman. It offers an experience, interaction, as well as an in-depth focus and discussion.
Opening: Paradiso
Tuesday, October 30: doors at 6:30pm, start 7pm
An enchanted experience through the five senses: sound, sight, smell, taste and touch. The exclusive perfume created by olfactive designer Bernardo Fleming for ‘GIRL, YOU’LL BE A WOMAN SOON’ is diffused through Paradiso as a memorable ‘scent event.’ The scent is inspired by the muses selected by founding director and curator Jamain Brigitha. They are six strong women, each important to the city of Amsterdam in their own way: Hedy d’Ancona (politician, geographer and sociologist), Ann Demeester (director of de Appel arts centre and de Appel Curatorial Programme), Carolien Gehrels (Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam | Alderperson Economic Affairs, Art & Culture, Local Media, Participation, Monuments, Infrastructure & Water, Business, Competition & Purchasing), Afaina de Jong (architect and founder of urban design agency AFARAI), Ans Markus (artist), and Cecilia Moisio (dancer and choreographer). The muses are at the opening to receive the perfume with a special ceremony. The evening also features film, video, music, live performance and poetry by several artists, amongst others, Jesper Just (DK), Mia Berg (SWE), Wonder Allen Smith (UK), VJ Danielle Kwaaitaal (NL) and DJ Jonny Wanha (FI). Joan As Police Woman (USA) crowns the evening with an amazing 90-minute concert.
Symposium: Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam (Rabozaal)
Monday, November 12, 5–10pm
An amazing line-up of international and renowned speakers, amongst others, politician, geographer and sociologist Hedy d’Ancona (NL), Professor Germaine Greer (AU), Professor Anneke Smelik (NL), writer and evolutionary biologist Tijs Goldschmidt (NL), architect Afaina de Jong (NL), and Sunny Bergman (NL), actress, director and cinematographer. The symposium is accompanied by remarkable and illustrating films, videos and fragments, next to live performances by Minka Parkkinen (SWE) and Cecilia Moisio (FI). Full symposium line-up and program online from October 30.
Film program: EYE, the new Film Museum
November & December: Doors 9:15pm, starts 9:30pm
Four selected guest programmers give their view on The Essence of Woman with a personal interview, inspiring fragments and one feature film. Tuesday, November 13: Johan Kramer (film and commercial director). Monday, November 26: Margriet van der Linden (journalist and editor-in-chief of Opzij Magazine). Sunday, December 2: Dana Linssen (film critic for newspaper NRC Handelsblad, editor-in-chief and co-publisher of De Filmkrant). Monday, December 3: Joyce Roodnat (head of the art section of newspaper NRC Handelsblad).
Soundwalk and healing ringtone
Sound Artist Nathalie Bruys (NL) is the first Dutch artist to be commissioned by Dream Amsterdam Foundation. She made a translation of the female theme into a soundwalk throughout Amsterdam with the dreamy title Underneath your feet, we meet. Nathalie Bruys also composed a ringtone with special healing frequencies, titled Soften Down & Loosen Up. Everytime your phone goes off, your DNA system gets a little upgrade! Soundwalk (from October 30) and healing ringtone available here.
Public space exhibition, November–December
Selected artists are Mia Berg (SWE), Alison Brady (USA), Jesper Just (DK) and Haley Jane Samuelson (USA). For the definite artist selection, dates, locations and openings, please check our website and Facebook from October 30.
Dream Amsterdam Foundation presents contemporary art outside the regular art institutions and museum walls. We challenge renowned and undiscovered artists to create exciting, site-specific experiences, using Amsterdam as our inspiration and platform. Jamain Brigitha is founding director of Dream Amsterdam Foundation and curator of the international manifestation DREAM AMSTERDAM.
DREAM AMSTERDAM 2012: GIRL, YOU’LL BE A WOMAN SOON is made possible by, amongst others, Amsterdam Fund for the Arts, Gemeente Amsterdam – Stadsdeel Centrum, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Noord-Holland, Cultuur-Ondernemen / City of Amsterdam Partner: Amsterdam Partners (Iamsterdam) / Marketing and Communication Partner: The Kennedys at Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam, The Publicity Company / Production and Exhibition partner: Mothership, Yohei Taneda | YOHTA-design, BeamSystems / Presenting Partner: Paradiso Amsterdam, EYE, Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, Amsterdam Museum, Hermitage Amsterdam, Housprojects, Bernardo Fleming / Curatorial Partner: Anne van der Zwaag / Facilitating Partner: City Box, Vermeulen.Ulutuz.
