After the Siege of Tilburg (After the war in the Netherlands)

In May this year I traveled to Kabul, Afghanistan, to visit Sound Central Festival. The festival. organized by expats, provides a platform for youth and young artists where they can express themselves free and safely.
All in all it was a great experience. I met very courageous, inspiring and above all very normal people and I witnessed a special event. About the festival I made a journalistic comic-strip that was published in the opinion and background booklet Vonk of Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant June 8th. As promised I would tell about my impressions and experiences of Kabul. I want to do this in a special way.
Two years ago I worked on a project 'The Siege of Tilburg' (the weblog your visiting right now) where I presented my old hometown Tilburg, in The Netherlands, as a city under siege.

Heuvelstraat, Tilburg

In the blog I reported on the situation and experiences of the people. During the period the Arab Spring broke out, the project was kinda exhausting itself and my focus was more on the start of another project. It came to a standstill and has never really closed. So it also seems to work in the media. That events get into oblivion when the interest becomes exhausted.
I did not necessarily counted on it that my trip to Kabul would give new inspiration for this project. Maybe this blogpost is also not yet the end, but it certainly brought a new point of view.
What follows are my impressions of Kabul translated to the situation as if I would visit Tilburg a few years after the war.

The peace seems to be returned. Yet you feel that there is something in the air that is not good. Note that a week since I left, Tilburg has been rocked by attacks almost every week.
It's not that you're coping with that in mind the whole day. At least, so I experienced. I do was, when outside my guesthouse, constantly alert and observant and stayed with my fixxer. Apparently it's not wise to just walk around on your own and so it is a very important to have a fixxer.

Tilburg is a rapidly developing city. At the last census before the war, the city had about 200,000 inhabitants. The now estimated number is at least 380,000.

Remarkably is the busy traffic. There are no roadrules so it seems. Some traffic cops trying to make the best of it and drivers are constantly on the horn. Not aggressively, but to let another driver know that he would like to pass. The roads are not very good, but they're working on it. Sand of roads being worked on, is often dumped a street further. So that street becomes difficult to access. A 4X4 comes in quite handy. At first I thought that the city was filled with smog during rush hour, but this is the dust that erupts through traffic. When it rains it is ok, but then it is a terrible quagmire.

Hart van Brabantlaan, Tilburg

In terms of wardamage, it doesn't seem to be that bad. There is much new construction. In the Hart van Brabantlaan for example, you see lots of new buildings. In the citycenter, older buildings are being renovated and some still bear bullet holes. It seems that the people in Tilburg don't want to be coping too much with the past, but mainly want to move forward.
The view from the Piusstraat on the Piusplein with it's terraces and cafes is blocked by a high wall. Only through certain corridors you can get to the heart of the citycenter. Larger, important buildings and mostly houses in the center are generally walled and secured.

Piusplein, Tilburg

Police checkpoints, better known as the 'Ring of Steel', you'll find every three or four blocks. Sometimes you're being stopped and you have to show your ID but in most cases you can continue. If you are for the first time in a post-conflict area you may find it weird to see the policemen with loaded HKUMP 45's (Heckler & Koch submachine gun). But you'll get used to it really quick. As do the U.S. Black Hawk helicopters flying overhead evey few hours.

The people here in Tilburg are very friendly, receptive, sincerely interested, grateful and welcoming. In my guesthouse they wanted to know every day what my program was and when I would be back. If I was late and forgot to let know something, they would text-message asking where I was. To visitors they make clear that they simply have everything, like we have, but that the country is developing. It is not that strange that the power fails several times a day, in which case the generator turns on. Warm water is also not a guarantee. "Welcome to Tilburg". The food is delicious by the way!
During a conversation you'll get to be asked the question of our picture of them on the other side of the world. Well that's hard to speak for the whole country and you mainly tell about your own impression. I was literally asked if we see them as undeveloped and desperate people. The people here want to live their lives but also a clear and honest picture of them being showed to the world.

Heuvelstraat, Tilburg

It was unfortunate I had to leave after ten days, while there was much more to see of the country. I would like to collect, record and publish many more stories. Especially the feeling that I was welcome makes me want to go back again soon when I have the opportunity. Through my visit I developed even more fascination for the country. The people I've met are fascinating, brave and the city and the country deserve a chance. These are not ignorant and desperate people. Hopefully special events such as Sound Central Festival can contribute to a positive development of the country.

Building. The End?

Building

No prophet, but a message

"I've long thought that Michael Jackson was the only artist on earth"

During the interview:
Where:
Tilburg
Duration:
1 hour
Drink:
A bottle of elderberry soda
Food:
Nothing
Pronunciation:
"Everything is much more intense because of the war”

After his work in 2007, Fillet of Sopie, the success of the Surinamese artist Building rolls steadily into the new decade. Now in Tilburg the ever cheerful Building experiments with Tilburg as a public workshop, but with a certain immersion and harassment.


That the young Building would become an artist was almost inevitable. His father worked alongside his regular job, for years as amateur artist in various workshops, his parents' house in Paramaribo was always filled with paintings, drawings, collages and more different works. Building began painting at the age of nine and from the age of fifteen, he worked with whatever he could find. With characteristic inseparable hat, Building walks through the ravaged but still trendy cafe where I've agreed to meet him.

Your appearance, a sort of vintage soul style, is that a trademark?
"I don’t know, that style always accidentally seeps through: in furniture and other things also. I do not really have a clear vision when I’m buying clothes, it's a collection of different things that I like. One time I wear sneakers, the other day walkers. "

Does that also apply to your artistic taste and style?
"Yes, I'm not really tied to one style. I am influenced by different styles, from dada to realism. It usually doesn’t matter, but most often I am most attracted by art that seems to be created straight from the heart. "

And now?
"Since I'm stuck here, I work with whatever I can find and get, and I also teach at the Academy of Fontys. I have a one year contract so I better finish it. And a well, for myself... I was inspired by the sheets and curtains hung across the streets by citizens back in Sarajevo. I do not know if you've already seen them but, yes I wanted to add some more. Hehe, yeah, it’s just funny to tease the snipers here with an additional message. Recently I managed to get my hands on a turntable and I mostly listen to vinyl. Soul, jazz, fusion, whatever that I can get, but I prefer real home-chillmusic, I love it. If it seems to be a quiet day, I sometimes bring the turntable and some records to the academy. Then I and the students get to work, while enjoying the music and the sounds of war. "

Are we going to see those acts back in your work?
"Well, I never really have a plan of how my work should be. Especially NOW I let myself be influenced by the environment. First I search for what I experienced and what I would like to say, then how I would it to say. You’ll also recognize this yourself as being an artist. Just like your projects: you have a topic in your head and then you go looking for the way you want to depict. And then you go looking for the right pencils and paper format. Make no mistake, I am also impressed with your work, but isn’t that the way it is, when keep trying to work in a city like this? "

You got that right, it’s not easy. You have to adapt and make the best of it. And especially do not lose your sense of humor.
"That's the last thing you should do. Here’s one by the way, a student told me:
In South a mother puts her head out the window of her apartment and calls out to the children playing outside: "Children go inside! There is a sniper over there! " One of the children answers:" No there’s not! Daddy is sleeping! "

(We laughed out loud because of the silliness joke. People in the cafe who also heard the joke joined us in our laughter. Then we ordered another bottle of elderberry soda)

Okay! Next. You're not a world famous artist, but you already exposed your work in various museums in the world. And besides that you also worked a lot behind the scenes. You were active in Suriname, you contributed to Paramaribo Perspectives in Rotterdam in 2010 and now you teach students at Fontys. Why?
"I like people. People are inspiring. I also find it very good to transfer knowledge, no pardon, I’ve said that wrong. It’s good to EXCHANGE knowledge. You can really learn from each other. It's also great fun to work with others."

But you haven’t been working on your own career for such a long time.
"That's not true, actually I’ve been working on my career since I was fifteen. But in Suriname it’s also difficult to get known. After having been taught at academies abroad, I began to use more influences. From these influences came Filet Of Sopie in 2007. It seems ‘suddenly’ but it takes years of preparation. I grew up poor and I still haven’t got much money. But I am a billionaire when it comes down to experience. "

How did you get in the picture?
"After Filet Of Sopie was discovered by an American in Suriname, I was invited to exhibit in the United States. Then the ball started rolling towards Europe. First Rotterdam and then London. It was also a lot of good luck, believe me! "

You’re a father, since five months. The contact with your family must be very difficult right now.
"Yes it is. But it gives me an extra boost. My wife is very proud of what I do and she also wants me to finish this. And if we get to talk on Skype or chat, we share in joy. "

When was the last time you spoke to them?
"Ten days ago ... Can I use your.. Does your laptop has..? "

Sure!
"Thanks man!"

But what’s to say of your world fame?
"It will become less I guess. Yeah as I said, after Filet Of Sopie it got started. And in the UK it started a debate. And especially in Switzerland and Italy it went well. "

Do you speak Italian?
"No, but phonetically I'm quite strong."

The work 4-3dom shows a reasonable commitment and you have guided students with their performances on the Katterug. This clearly shows your concern about the state of the world.
"Correct. Look around you. Who would have ever thought this would happen in the Netherlands!?
4-3dom was actually before the war and the work was not intended as specific criticism. The situation made it specific criticism. Do you remember that song that got popular by the attacks on September 11, of that American band, Live? "

Yes I know them!
"Overcome, that’s the song. Overcome became their biggest hit. People think that Live wrote Overcome specifically in response to the attacks, but it was already on their album. It only really embodied "with the feeling of those days." Then the song was released earlier as a single early and the income went to the victims of the attacks. That comparison you can draw with 4-3dom. The war has made it very well known.
But apart from that .. it suits me, but I don’t want to make it look like: "Let me tell you how this works!" For long I thought that I had no authority to create such works. Who takes that kind of stuff from a guy in his twenties, who had never experienced war? Now I'm in the middle of the shit. And now I'm 31, I feel I should take responsibility. I don’t want to be a prophet, like Bono, but I want to create things about issues that I think are really important. The arts allow us to expose and debate calls, and this is my way to make that happen. "

Is it the paternity?
"Perhaps, but the war broke out before Joy was born. I should have been there but the war prevented me from the plane to catch. But everything has become much more intense. On a large scale, "where should it go in the world, as well as small things. I think more about what kind of example I give, what message, I want to transmit, or want to bring to debate. I want to show that in my work. "

Where do you get your inspiration?
"Actually, from everything that moves me. For example, you with your curls haha, no man, yeah I mean, sorry hehe. Okay okay. Uhm. No, things that touch me. Like a song you really feel, the feeling behind the song. You are parsing: how does it work? In my early teenage years I was a fan of Michael Jackson, I have long thought that he was the only artist in the world."

Would you like to be as famous as Michael Jackson?
That level of fame you do not want, and is not pleasant for anyone. For me now, it’s more about my work, The work that I can do here in this city with other people. That’s what I want.

(I saved the file that I made using the voice recorder on my laptop, linked to the internet and let Building chat with his family.)

Typical Building
Favorite stimulant
"I like to smoke a joint now and then."
Finest spot
"The Katterug. I enjoy the work of the students. "
Greatest sin
"I only have a few .. Should I do something about it? "
Best feature
"I'm open to anything."
Biggest annoyance
"This war and that I cannot be with my family."
Typical Building
"My signature?"
Building 10 years later
"Just like now. But together with my family in peace. But I hope sooner, rather than 10 years. "

"The End. Is it near?" "I have no idea, but take a look soon near the café ‘Horen Zeggen’ and ask yourself off again." Graffiti on sheet.

"One of the main functions of art is that it preserves the people of indifference, a person lives as long as he is not indifferent. " - Dzevad Karahasan -

"Dzevad Karahasan educated this to his students during the siege of Sarajevo. I’m telling you this as well. People are willing to forget this now and then or just don’t even realize. Make sure you keep this in mind. Especially in situations like this!"

The above is what the Surinamese artist 'Building' told to his students at the Art Academy of Fontys. The students, eager to get back to work, under the supervision of Building and other teachers, the students learned to work with whatever was forehand. Rachel had already been working on a memorial for a deceased student of the Rock Academy was initially very much effort to get going, "We could not wait to get back to work at the academy. It was hard in the beginning because of the grenades nearby. The first week we lost our concentration, but we wanted to get back to work. So then we went looking for methods to return our focus."

For the graduation-exposition, students worked together with other students from the art-cluster to make a large theater of the Katterug. Maarten and Jesper who specialize in visual communication designer, took the initiative. "That it took place in public space, was one thing. Because in public space you let it out to the viewer what it think about a work. We took the initiative to approach more students when we saw in Katterug a giant billboard."With other students they worked on a synchronization of the lights of the apartment to form words, shapes, signs and symbols. Students of the dance academy, the conservatory and the rock academy worked on a theater experience that would be performed three times.

Sandra, third year student of dance, did the choreography with two fellow students. "It felt really good to be working on such a big project all together. Art can make you off balance and makes you yourself wonder about the world around you. "During the rehearsals it was hard for the players to totally concentrate on their work. But over time, most were so used to the shells that they simply forgot to respond, while the bravest among them looked for a way to use the grenades as a 'theatrical effect' or a way of expression in their play.

At the time of the show it turned out exactly that way. At first the spectators were shocked by grenades and gunshots, but they gave themselves completely to the show, with more pleasure than ever before in peacetime the Tilburgers were allowed to enjoy culture and art. It were not only the performances that were amazing, every show was different, but all three performances fed the people and protected them from fear as a warm womb or a house of pray that had not yet been destroyed.
Today, every week a new word, sign or symbol appears on the Katterug, as long as the building keeps standing.

I will soon post the interview I had with the Surinamese artist; 'Building'.

The Demolition

Cees Becht was his name, but in the vernacular, he will forever live as Cees de Sloper (Cees the Destructor). In 1957 he became mayor, precisely the period when the textile industry in Tilburg collapsed. Sixty textile factories that offered work to 18,000 men, disappeared within ten years by competition from countries with lower wages. The low-skilled factory workers were unemployed.
Becht knew a solution to revive the patient. He demolished the old Town Hall and Koningswei, an authentic working-class district in the center. In their place came wide roads and tall buildings, such as the Katterug on the east side of the current town hall.
"He wanted to make a real city, a metropolis like Rotterdam, architect George Bedaux shivers reflecting on that period. "That was his biggest mistake. He broke down the most beautiful city centers. What the Germans had left standing, destroyed Becht anyway. The stupid flat on the Katterug is a remnant of that policy. And actually, they should destroy the entire Koningsplein again and start rebuilding, again. "

http://www.bastimmers.nl/nie-maawe-mar-staawe/

Now they have destroyed it again! The first insane and devastating attack on the center was somewhere in mid-September (can’t remember what day exactly. There were also short bombings before). The center was shelled with rockets and artillery. During the first months of the war the bombings were especially during night, so people would feel groggy from lack of sleep throughout the next day, and walk around like zombies.

The devastating result of rockets and artillery shells is clearly visible on the Piusplein

The walls of the Heuvelpoort had collapsed or some parts had completely disappeared. The Mac was almost unrecognizable. The yellow M, should be laying around a few meters from the scene. Some trees had been untouched, others were felled as if by an axe.

South-side of the Heuvelpoort in ruins.

As I walk through the rubble, talk to people, make pictures, I sometimes stare at my hands. As if I would try to convince myself that they were really mine. Those are the devastating effects of a war waged on those who know how to drag themselves through, on those that who are not slain or injured, they slowly lose faith in reality or the ability to experience reality.
And then I suddenly realize how the ugliest building in Tilburg (That’s just indestructible!), just looks magnificent during the night.
This city is lucky. It still has;

 'Hope'

Soon an interview with students from the Academy of Fine Arts (FontysABV) and the story of the picture above