Weak Signals, Wild Cards
27 Jun - 26 Jul 2009
WEAK SIGNALS, WILD CARDS
For the first time in decades, the Shell Research and Technology terrain in Amsterdam-Noord opens to a wider public with the de Appel Curatorial Programme ’08/’09 project "Weak Signals, Wild Cards". The project is an exhibition of commissioned works, talks and performances. The curators have invited ten international and local artists, artist collectives, and contributors from other fields to react to the development plans for Amsterdam-Noord and to imagine a set of alternative futures. After a period of research and meetings with local initiatives, the curators have taken as their starting point the current local situation and view it under its global conditions. The new commissions made by the artists are for and from the alternative futures that they have imagined and will be displayed for one month, with an opening event on 26th June accompanied by music from Dutch DJ duo The Routines, and food from the local initiative Vrouwenbazaar.
The title "Weak Signals, Wild Cards" uses two terms from futurology. Weak signals form a pattern of phenomena that serves as an indicator of possible future developments. Wild cards refer to events that are difficult to predict but have a high impact. Amsterdam-Noord, the largest borough in Amsterdam with a long industrial history, is undergoing a series of public and private initiatives that aim to revamp this traditionally working class area. The artworks, performances and presentations made for this project attempt to forecast the as yet unknown future of art in Amsterdam-Noord, and the result is a flush of utopias, dystopias, warning signals, and manifestos.
Through the commissioning of alternative futures "Weak Signals, Wild Cards" will compose a common body of imagination, seeking to problematise the ‘usefulness’ of art in city redevelopment, and the impact of regeneration on the existing population. In the current economic uncertainty where the conditions for urban regeneration may no longer hold fast, it becomes necessary to rethink what other kinds of urban structures, environments, and societies might be possible – and what artistic practices might result.
For the first time in decades, the Shell Research and Technology terrain in Amsterdam-Noord opens to a wider public with the de Appel Curatorial Programme ’08/’09 project "Weak Signals, Wild Cards". The project is an exhibition of commissioned works, talks and performances. The curators have invited ten international and local artists, artist collectives, and contributors from other fields to react to the development plans for Amsterdam-Noord and to imagine a set of alternative futures. After a period of research and meetings with local initiatives, the curators have taken as their starting point the current local situation and view it under its global conditions. The new commissions made by the artists are for and from the alternative futures that they have imagined and will be displayed for one month, with an opening event on 26th June accompanied by music from Dutch DJ duo The Routines, and food from the local initiative Vrouwenbazaar.
The title "Weak Signals, Wild Cards" uses two terms from futurology. Weak signals form a pattern of phenomena that serves as an indicator of possible future developments. Wild cards refer to events that are difficult to predict but have a high impact. Amsterdam-Noord, the largest borough in Amsterdam with a long industrial history, is undergoing a series of public and private initiatives that aim to revamp this traditionally working class area. The artworks, performances and presentations made for this project attempt to forecast the as yet unknown future of art in Amsterdam-Noord, and the result is a flush of utopias, dystopias, warning signals, and manifestos.
Through the commissioning of alternative futures "Weak Signals, Wild Cards" will compose a common body of imagination, seeking to problematise the ‘usefulness’ of art in city redevelopment, and the impact of regeneration on the existing population. In the current economic uncertainty where the conditions for urban regeneration may no longer hold fast, it becomes necessary to rethink what other kinds of urban structures, environments, and societies might be possible – and what artistic practices might result.