Impressions of Rotterdam: Foundation B.a.d
Street-facing exhibition windows overview of community-based art projects: MAKING CHARLOIS 1991-2024
Mandy Morrison : Artist in Residence.
I arrived on May 1 as a Guest Artist at Foundation B.a.d., a Rotterdam-based artist studio collective. Having been on a number of residencies (academic, invitational and competitive) this is the first I have been on where the enterprise, from initial communication onward is entirely within the framework of an artist-co-op infrastructure. There is no official administration per se, just the artists who have spaces here and share varying aspects of responsibility for the maintenance of the building. With support from the Maryland State Arts Council, I pay a fee –which is the same as the member artists in Rotterdam pay- for a live-work studio space. There is a communal kitchen, shared with two other guest artists.
Back garden at B.a.d.
What is interesting about B.a.d is its inception, the neighborhood in which it exists and its continued longevity amidst the surge of gentrification occurring in Rotterdam and in other significant cities globally. B.a.d began in 1987 as a squat through the efforts of a group of artists in need of workspace. It started in a former cable factory in the North of Rotterdam, but in 1991 it had to move out. The group relocated into a new building –another squat- in the South of the city, a former industrial school (built in 1953) for girls.
Schematic on display of NAC financing structure. The idea is based on the experience with B.a.d but actually is done by NAC (Nieuw Ateliers Charlois)
The oldest remaining section of Rotterdam that wasn’t bombed during WWII.
B.a.d. description of B.a.d. studio initiative to community
The district, Charlois, which is on the south bank of the river Nieuwe Maas is one of the more diverse in Rotterdam. Getting around is a breeze with a well-developed public transport system (buses, a metro and trams) as well as smooth wide bike paths that run parallel to most streets. One will see as many parked bikes as cars along the streets and at the main rail station, there are bicycles parked in the hundreds.
Local park.
46% of Rotterdam’s residents are of immigrant background (or with at least one parent who is). The Muslim population in Charlois is omnipresent with women in traditional garb and the occasional storefront selling traditional clothing. B.a.d. utilizes its street facing exhibition windows (some lit up at night) to communicate to the passers-by its art initiatives within the community as well as the work that goes on in individual studios.
Community Project images and description
So far, I have visited the studios of two artists and have attended a performance event at WOW /WORM, located in the Witte de Withkwartier, the day and nightlife scene for the arts not far from the museum walk near the Kunsthal. Every day is a rife with a new adventure, and my notions of what I will do here, in terms of my art practice is continually evolving.
Installation by Anne Kolbe (NLD), Untitled, 2024
A recent presentation of my work at B.a.d.
Mandy Morrison is at the Foundation B.a.D. with funding from the Maryland State Arts Council.
Morrison, a nominee for the Sondheim Fellowship will have her work in Artscape in Baltimore, Maryland as part of the Semi-Finalists exhibition.
UPCOMING: Essays and Interviews
Jack Greene, Visionary Moment, 1973 Oil on linen.
COMING UP:
Interview with Pasha Radetzki whose lov-e = LOV public sculpture is now installed in Union Square, Manhattan.
An essay on the little known but exceptional work of Jack Greene — we hope this will familiarize people with his work.
Part II of Interview with Elke Luyten.
Interview with Anna Sang Park
Interview with Coder/Herbologist/Film Ace, Artist and Poet, Meredith Finkelstein
Essay on the work of Francine Hunter McGivern by Carter Ratcliffe
Interview with Daniel Rothbart, whose exhibition at Galerie Depardieu opens in September
PEAT and REPEAT BOOK SERIES:
Peat and Repeat is excited to announce that we are creating an artist book series that will include programming and workshop endeavors. We are launching a fundraising initiative for this series. More on this soon.
We really do rely on tax-deductible donations to keep going! The more we can fundraise the more projects in the community we can produce and our intention is to expand our community outreach.