The project “Countercurrents” showcases a collection of works by a dynamic group of image makers prompted by the dangerous effects that are connected to the presence of underwater munitions in our oceans. From this starting point each artist found their own topic. The featured artists challenge the status quo and (re)present alternatives on the negligence of the past, trauma, the hidden, the interconnections between us, others, as well as our planet.
On view at a corridor and a former bunker the three day event (24-26th June 2022) “Countercurrents” features a range of photographic and video installations, sculptures and performances by twelve international image-makers from seven countries. On different levels, it highlights the relationship we have with the past, and explores the intersections of the photographic medium. Their work challenges what photography can still do in current times and enlist themes of current reality, collective and individual memories, fictional narrative and metaphor.
“Naturally I wondered how the students would bring to life this abstract idea. The topic triggered them to go on journeys of self-discovery and research.” said Newsha Tavakolian, visual tutor of the studio and member of Magnum Photos. “The metaphors and interpretations they used have made the projects powerful and deep, all in their own unique way. It found the process to be very beautiful and inspiring.”
Talks
As part of the programme, organised tours will guide visitors through the collective works in and around the bunker, which is the location of the offline exhibition. In this former part of the Atlantikwall, a series of talks and performances will be hosted and presented on our online exhibition (www.countercurrents.co) the next day.
Talks can be viewed here: TALKS
Online exhibition
www.countercurrents.co (to be launched due the opening on June 24th)
Artists whose works are featured in “Countercurrents”:
Sumi Anjuman (BD), Arianna Cavalensi (IT) , Beatrice Cera (IT), Daniel Chatard (GER), Pascal Giese (GER), He Bo (CN), Charmaine de Heij (NL)Lea Novi (GER), Diego Reindel (GER), Jonathan Tang (NL), Ben Yau (UK), Alexey Yurenev (RU/US).
About Countercurrents
“Countercurrents” is a group exhibition by students of the two-year master programme Photography & Society of the Royal Academy of Art The Hague in collaboration with Creative Court, a non-profit organisation that develops art projects reflecting on peace and global justice. Creative Court believes it is quite impossible to achieve world peace through rules and regulations. Because before reshaping the world, we first need to r-imagine it.
About Master Photography & Society (MAPS), Royal Academy of Art The Hague
Photography & Society is a two-year master programme offered at the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (KABK) since September 2018. The Master’s programme Photography & Society at the KABK educates socially-engaged photographers of the 21st century, who possess an active interest in the technological, political, environmental and social role of the photograph. As a collective, we research and foster encounters beyond the photographic medium with the aim of formulating new ways of how photography can be positioned and contextualised within society.
About the location
The exhibition will be held on the territory of Bunker V192, which was built as part of a line of defense by the Nazis during WW2 in 1943. This ‘machine bunker’ has a unique design, and the only one of its kind to be found in The Netherlands. Since 2002, the bunker has been used as an exhibition space. Bunker V192 is located on the site of Waterkant.
Credits
“Countercurrents” is organised by the first year students of the Master programme Photography & Society of the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague in collaboration with Creative Court. Generous support is provided by Jana Romanova, Daniël Siegersma, Rabiaâ Benlahbib, Newsha Tavakolian, Thana Faroq, Shadman Shahid, De Waterkant, Denis Oudendijk (Refunc), Brouwerij Frontaal.
The graphic design is done by Sonya Umanskaya. The coding of the Countercurrencts website is done by Max Lehmann.
Exhibition “Countercurrents” 24th-26th June 2022
Contact Person: Daniel Chatard
Contact email: info@chatard.de Online exhibition:
www.countercurrents.co (to be launched due the opening on June 24th)
Op vrijdag 8 juli opent de expositie The Shadow Has Two Faces van Custom Ode.
De kunstenaar achter Cusom Ode is Joanna Toetenel, die gaat spelen met de drie elementen waar zij het meest van houdt. Dat zijn: eten, muziek en mooie dingen maken.
Ik exposeer in drie kamers in de bunker. Ik werk graag (niet altijd) met licht en altijd met herinneringen, gebeurtenissen en prestaties. Als soort van persoonlijke awards.
Ik maak ode’s in de vorm van objecten en vergelijk ze ook wel met tatoeages, maar dan voor je huis i.p.v. voor je huid. Het is iets waar je vaak wat langer over nadenkt voordat je het aanschaft en het staat voor een bepaalde periode in je leven, zodat je het voor de rest van je leven bij je kan “dragen”, of totdat je het zat bent. Gelukkig zijn deze een stuk minder pijnlijk om te verwijderen. (-:
Kunst: Expositie The Shadow Has Two Faces van Custom Ode
Opening: vrijdag 8 juli 2022 17.00 uur
Dagelijks geopend van 10.00 tot 20.00 uur
Entree: gratis
Te zien t/m 22 juli 2022
Eten: Tot 21.00 uur is de keuken van Waterkant geopend
Muziek: Tabass-co DJ’s tijdens de opening
Finissage: vrijdag 22 juli 17.00 -21.00 uur
Eten: Een menu met favoriete gerechten van Joanna i.s.m. haar favoriete chefkok samengesteld
Prijs: € 37,50 p.p. , Reserveren gewenst : https://dewaterkant.nl/een-tafel-boeken/
Muziek: DJ Edgar
Floris Meijer (03-01-2000) is een 4e jaars bachelor fotografie student aan de Koninklijke Academie voor Beeldende Kunsten. Hij werkt voornamelijk aan documentaire fotografie projecten. Vaak onderzoekt Floris in zijn projecten de connectie tussen mens en plaats.
De expositie bestaat uit drie verschillende series: Hannah Kommt Zurück, Shirin-Yoku, en Samenspraak. Meer informatie over de projecten is te vinden op www.florismeijer.works.
Opening: 27 april 2022 om 16.00 uur met een live performance van Maarten Keus.
Te zien tot 1 juni 2022.
alles@dewaterkant.nl
Westbroekpark Den Haag
Waterkant tegenover Haringkade
Informatie
Exposities
alles@dewaterkant.nl
Stichting De Wereld van Den Haag