The Performance
2025
KRIMPEN AAN DEN IJSSEL — In 2024, I was invited to the village by policy advisor Ellen Jacobs (Culture, Language and Events). This collaboration came about following an open call as part of ‘Gezocht Talentvolle Gemeenten’ (Talent Municipalities Wanted), which focused on the relationship between artist and municipality. Due to this collaboration, Ellen Jacobs was nominated for ‘Civil Servant of the Year 2025’.
At the request of the municipality, I conducted research into the lack of a vibrant village center. In early 2025, this resulted in a plan titled ‘the performance’. Behind the scenes, I had the opportunity to contribute to shaping the environmental and cultural vision for this municipality.
CARDIO_VISION — That was the title of the study. I held conversations with a diverse group of Krimpen residents about the desired 'Heart of Krimpen'. Residents indicated that they would like a lively center with terraces and a diverse range of shops and cultural organizations. However, having something in common with someone goes beyond having a drink together on a terrace or grocery shopping at DIRK.
Whereas other villages are built around a church or a characteristic square, the intended center of Krimpen is situated around a large parking lot. The historic linear village along the rivers has not received the proper attention so far. Today, it feels as if the built "body" behind the dike lacks an appealing "face." Yet a human 'Heart of Krimpen' cannot exist without an appealing face.
The municipality is making future plans for the centre since 2006. But she has not been the owner of "the village street" [De Crimpenhof shopping center] since the 1980s. The main property owner, a local baker's son, has no intention (yet) of investing in the De Crimpenhof shopping centre. An article appeared in the AD newspaper in early 2025 stating that 23% of retail space is vacant, compared to 22% in 2024.
In my opinion, it is essential that the municipality develops a strong narrative for the village center. Within this narrative, various (individual) stories must be able to find a place. Today, one story dominates — that of the property owner.
— quote from column: Searching for a 'Heart of Krimpen'
'THE PERFORMANCE' — With this cultural concept, I seek an opening in the impasse described above. It literally turns the city center situation into a backdrop for this performance. To develop and realize this plan, I visited cultural organizations. A project group was established at the municipality. Local businesses and shopkeepers were approached. Residents were interviewed.
While seeking opportunities through dialogue, I often heard: "Come back when your plans are concrete." This prompted me to propose the temporary empty plinth and exhibition of 'village faces.' This empty plinth centered on the lack of meaning. By organizing an exhibition of village faces together, the opportunity would arise to search for the "face" of the village. It was to take place in the empty office above the DIRK, with the aim of temporarily imbuing this emptiness with meaning as well.
Ultimately, this plan did not find sufficient support among the residents, entrepreneurs, and the municipality. It will come as no surprise to you that real estate owner Van Herk also did not want to cooperate with an exhibition in the empty office.
LOTTE STAM BEESESQUARE — In my practice, I try to connect past, present, and future. By temporarily organizing things differently, I try to work on new meaning. After all, through art, we can imagine the world in which we want to live. That is why I looked for an opening in the village's outdoor space.
I discovered that the remarkable Krimpen resident Charlotte (Lotte) Ida Anna Stam-Beese lived in the village. Her life was dedicated to creating spaces for one thing or another. Fortunately, I was able to convince the municipality to pay tribute to her with an imaginary village square. The 'Lotte Stam-Beeseplein' is now a cultural construction site of the future.
A single street sign turns the town center into a stage. The users of this space become actors in this spectacle. For those who realize it. This is unprecedented. The imaginary square is a door to rethinking the future of the village center. Through our actions, we give meaning to this space. If we organize different things here together—we build the village center of tomorrow.
— quote from Magazine De Klinker: How does Krimpen get a vibrant heart?"
Krimpen aan den IJssel is home to 30,000 people, but is the village also being "built by residents"?
Kind regards, Edwin Stolk.
Your (company) name here? Do not hesitate to contact me when you are interested to collaborate!
'The Performance' was mentioned in the following media: Magazine De Klinker.
'The Performance' follows the concept behind: #theorganisation
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