It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work. It’s time for The Journey. This unique journey of discovery brings the community together with artists from the region who use art and culture as a catalyst for a more beautiful world.
The Journey is a one-of-a-kind experience. An exploration of residents of a village, district or community and an artist. Together they roll up their sleeves and unite to work on issues that deserve attention. In Nijhuizum, farming families created a performance about the abolition of the European milk quota, and in Leeuwarden three football clubs merged together to find new colours and a new name: Leovardia. The Journey uses art and culture as a catalyst for a more beautiful world, and does so with great success.
This flywheel for change is a Keunstwurk initiative and one of the community art projects of Leeuwarden-Friesland 2018. With a series of projects, artists from The Journey illustrate how art and culture stimulate change in small communities. The artist examines, poses questions and searches for interests. Together with a village, district or community, a work of art is created: a painting, performance or action, anything is possible.
Two examples
If you could become anything you wanted to, what would you become later? That was the principal question in the Journey project of product designer Lisette Baker. Children from Heechterp-Schieringen were dressed in outfits that matched their dream job and were photographed in a theatrical setting. Youngsters from the same neighbourhood wrote tips and notes of encouragement about how the children can achieve their dream. All these photos and tips were bundled together and published in a beautiful and inspiring book.
Another wonder: inhabitants of De Hoeve, an area where houses are not permitted to be built due to municipal restrictions. Together with dance and theatre producer Willy van Assen, they create a large edifice that symbolises the village’s desire to build.
Debate cycle
In 2017 and 2018, The Journey coordinates projects throughout all of Friesland. In addition, a lecture and debate cycle known as Dwarskijkers is organised, touching on the relevance of art as a catalyst for social change. Keep an eye on this website for more information.