The
extensive art project Yours in Solidarity that began in 2010,
investigates the contemporary history of anarchism and is presented
for the first time at New Art Space Amsterdam (NASA) in its entirety.
Nicoline van Harskamp creates a complex and resounding portrait of
anarchism’s supporters through analyses of the correspondence
archive of the late Dutch anarchist Karl Max Kreuger, now housed in
the International Institute for Social History (IISG) in Amsterdam.
From 1988 until 1999, Kreuger corresponded by post with approximately
400 fellow anarchists worldwide. Through the study of respective
political observations and handwriting analysis of some 60 letter
writers, Nicoline van Harskamp re-activated the proponents’ life
stories. Using actors of the relevant age and nationality, in a fully
staged meeting of international correspondents, the artist suggests
what would happen if they were to meet today. The resulting work is a
reflective archive of Nicoline van Harskamp’s notes and copied
extracts of over 1000 letters including video documentation of
individual working sessions with actors and a film.
As
in other recent works like New Latin (2010) and Any other Business
(2009-2012), Nicoline van Harskamp addresses the power of the spoken
word and its ability to shape thought and political ideals. Yours in
Solidarity also charts a turning-point in the neo-liberal context
following the demise of post-war idealism after 1989, whilst drawing
reference to our current anti-authoritarian imperative and mainstream
anti-capitalist opposition. The work, named after a much-used
anarchist sign-off, directly engages the numerous theories of
anarchism that are still critical today and its definition of
paradoxical pairs such as scepticism and dogmatism; affinity and
identity; direct action and symbolic action.
Reading
Anarchism
Throughout
the course of the exhibition an intensive programme of talks under
the name Reading Anarchism is organised to take place on Wednesday
evenings. In the closing-week of the exhibition a full public
reading-day will be held with invited speakers. Guests with an
affinity for the subject are invited to prepare a presentation on a
book or article from the online archive of anarchist writing.
Speakers include: Michnea Mircan, Geert Lovink, Mariko Peters, Ahmet
Öğüt, Charles Esche, Elena Bajo, Nienke Terpsma, Frans Bromet, Bea
de Visser and Jan Ritsema.
Reading
Anarchism encourages audience members to read the same texts and
inspire further reading. The names of the guests and their chosen
book titles will be announced online and in the exhibition space. All
titles will be available as a laser printed booklet at NASA, and can
be downloaded for free at www.theanarchistlibrary.org.
For
further information about the exhibition and updates on Reading
Anarchism’s dates, guests and literature go to www.nasaonline.net.
Opening
Saturday 9 March.
