Travel, travelling, moving and migrating.
Migration beyond the national border – or from the village to the Metropole – is the pivotal experience of our time, as stated by John Berger.
As highlighted by Stefano Allevi, humans have always been nomads. Originally, we had to move in order to search for food or to run away from predators – but we have never stopped since. The history of Humanity is one of migrations. And these very migrations allowed us to also evolve, learn new things, and acknowledge different perspectives.
When we travel we discover new environments, cultures, languages and encounter powerful new stimuli. This is important for our personal and professional growth, as well as for Evolution.
But in times of globalisation where ‘fast living’ makes traveling ‘normal’ – sometimes even a ‘must’ that we take for granted – are we still able to enjoy what travel brings us?
Are we aware of what we see? How do cultures, the surrounding art scenes, and people impact our perceptions? What influence do they have on us? Are we actually learning in order to pass on new knowledge to our future generations?
The pandemic and the fact we had to stop, made us reflect more on the richness that ‘travelling’ can bring.
This project, and the exhibition – created to support the career of emerging artists and young curators – aims to generate a timely conversation about what the idea of travelling means for the viewers, artists and professionals.
With the continual reformation of the arts, new currents and societal needs, Breaking Boundaries is the ‘seed’ for a New Contemporary Art World. With this project, we aim to stimulate dialogue, bring different cultures and art scenes together by proposing a more ethical, fair and sustainable model for exhibitions.
Hopefully we will harvest a positive change, together.
Accompanying the exhibition, you will find a booklet presenting information about the actual works, spaces, and interviews with the artists. It includes open questions to invite you to reflect and share your personal experience and point of view with us.
Here you can freely access the Breaking Boundaries booklet.
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What is Breaking Boundaries?
BREAKING BOUNDARIES is a travelling exhibition born from an international collaboration. To contrast the difficulties faced by the cultural sector and artists all over the world last year, this project was launched by non-profit foundation The Artist and The Others in cooperation with 8 curators of 6 art spaces in 4 countries.
Is it possible to create a more sustainable Art World? How can we support artists in the early stages of their careers? Can we connect internationally by keeping the environment in mind? How can we create international dialogue in the midst of a pandemic?
The report by Kunstenpunt, highlights the unsustainability of the art world – both from an economic point of view and from an environmental one.
International travel has a high cost but it is also extremely necessary in the arts. Artists and arts professionals, especially young artists and curators, are often not paid adequately (or not at all). This results in individual expenses to cover transportation, accommodation and the installation of the artworks.
BREAKING BOUNDARIES answers the urgent need for a fair model which supports artists directly and follows fair-pay guidelines. It gives emerging artists the possibility of gaining international experience and recognition. The connection with other artists, different curators in 4 countries will represent a professional backbone for the artists participating. Further, by using the artist fee guidelines provided by Platform BK, and using the transportation of the artworks as a starting point all, costs are fully covered by the project’s budget.
Let’s create a positive change together!
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Breaking Boundaries artists, curators, dates and spaces.
12 artists: Gözde İlkin (TR), Sevim Sancaktar (TR), Miriam Salamander (DE), Janina Totzauer (DE), Simone Miccichè (IT), Giulia Cacciuttolo (IT), Eva Chiara Trevisan (IT), Giulio Polloniato (IT) Anne Büscher (NL), Willem de Haan (NL), Suzie van Staaveren (NL) and Jan Dirk Adams (NL).
8 Curators: Davy van Gerven (NL), Jelmer Wijnstroom (NL), Federica Fiumelli (IT), Jessica Capra (IT) Ezgi Bakçay (TR), Sophie Charlotte Bombeck (DE), Fernanda Andrade (IT) and Lucia Trevisan (IT).
Spaces and Dates:
2021
15 September – 15 October, Karşi Sanat Calamari in Istanbul (TK)
2 November – 15 November, De Meldkamer in Maastricht (NL)
2022
8 April – 30 April, Officina15 in Castiglione Dei Pepoli (IT)
May/June ( New dates coming soon) a.topos in Venice (IT)
July (new dates coming soon) in Amsterdam (NL)
3 September – 2 October, Super+ Centercourt in Munich (DE)
The project is supported by the Province of Limburg, The Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, The Municipality of Maastricht, The Dutch Consulate in Istanbul & Italy, The Istituto Italiano di Cultura ad Amsterdam, Stroom and all the amazing donors who supported the project within our crowdfunding campaign.
Follow the Breaking Boundaries´ journey here.
