KunstDoel-Outside
KunstDoel launches Large-Scale art project to protect Doel
Since some time the plans for the Saeftinge Dock, which would completely wipe out the village of Doel, seem to have been definitely abandoned. For about two years, KunstDoel has tried to convince the authorities to preserve the village as a cultural and artistic enclave inside and in harmony with the port of Antwerp. But the authorities consistently ignore our appeals and resolutely persist in wiping out Doel. Since January 2009, they are demolition or irrepairably damaging one to two houses a week.
In an ultimate attempt to stop the Government's devastation of the village of Doel, KunstDoel decided to intensify its actions by launching KunstDoel-Outside, a large-scale art project addressed to the entire visual arts community, including established artists as well as art students or amateurs.
We hope that this massive "statement by artists" will convince the authorities to preserve Doel by endowing it with a new, socio-cultural destiny. Yet, we really have to hurry up or nothing much will remain.
We hope that this massive "statement by artists" will convince the authorities to preserve Doel by endowing it with a new, socio-cultural destiny. Yet, we really have to hurry up or nothing much will remain.
KunstDoel Outside
Doel still has many valuable premises. The Outside project aims at covering windows of empty houses with two dimensional artworks suggesting the house is still inhabited. Thus we try to recreate a surrealistic atmosphere of virtual inhabitation in the village.
The artists will become the symbolic "custodians" of the houses they work in. Art is expected to replace the chill of vacancy by warmth and resuscitate the village. This spring and summer, the remaining villagers will receive all visitors with open arms.
To picture gallery: "art-against-bulldozers: work in progress" >>>