[Nettime-nl] myvillages.org

["Wapke Feenstra" <wapke@euronet.nl>]

Launch of myvillages.org
May 2003 in Heiligendorf, Lower Saxony, Germany


Dear friends and colleagues,

We are delighted you to inform you about the launch of myvillages.org, a
non-profit cultural organisation which aims to address the discrepancy and
synchronism between urban and rural cultural development, initiated by the
artists Kathrin Boehm (D/UK), Wapke Feenstra (NL) and Antje Schiffers (D).

The launch has taken place on May 17th and 18th 2003 as part of the 850th
anniversary of Heiligendorf (near Wolsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany).

Antje Schiffers, who originally comes from Heiligendorf, was presenting her
project "I like being a farmer and would like to stay one", which consists
of
a number of videos that were made by local farmers in exchange for a picture
of their farm painted by Antje. Her project is the first in a series of
pilot-projects which will take place in 03/04.

For more information please find the current program copied into this mail
below or visit the website www.myvillages.org, or you can contact us by
e-mail: info@myvillages.org

Best wishes

Kathrin Boehm / Wapke Feenstra / Antje Schiffers


....................................
myvillages.org


myvillages.org is an international, non-profit cultural organisation which
aims to address the discrepancy and synchronism between urban and rural
cultural development. "The village" as an origin, location and concept is at
the core of the objectives and programme of myvillages.org.

myvillages.org is initiated by the artists Kathrin Böhm (D/UK), Wapke
Feenstra (NL) and Antje Schiffers (D) and registered as a International
Stichting in the Netherlands. Current members of the board are Claudia
Büttner (Curator, kunstprojekte_riem, Munich), Nathalie Castilla Serrano
Houtermans (Curator, Mixtura , Rotterdam)and Gavin Wade (Artist-Curator,
London).

The aim of myvillages.org is to initiate discussion and practice-based
projects, which address the notion of village within contemporary cultural
discourse and development. As an umbrella organisation myvillages.org will
initiate and host various projects, which look at particular issues or
areas.
Each project will have its own programming/managing and advisory board.


ourvillages2003
The first series of pilotprojects starts with ourvillages in 2003, with the
artists Kathrin Böhm (Höfen), Wapke Feenstra (Wjelsryp ), Stefan Saffer
(Eggolsheim) and Antje Schiffers (Heiligendorf) going back to their village
of origin in order to initiate a village-specific art project.
" How could our current practice be applied or contribute to the life in our
villages today?"
All artists involved are closely linked to the places and people they will
go
back to and present their work to. Thus the social and communicational
conventions of smaller rural communities are ingrained on them and their
work, as they are still considered members of these communities - with all
the supporting and restricting aspects.

ourvillages: Heiligendorf
Antje Schiffers has started a project for her village Heiligendorf in 2001,
called "I like being a farmer and want to stay one" where she asks various
farmers to make a video about themselves in return for a painting she did of
their farms. The videos and paintings will be shown in public in
Heiligendorf
as part of the village's 850 anniversary celebration in May 2003, coinciding
with the public launch of myvillages.org.


myvillages.orf conference 2004
Besides the first pilotproject myvillages.org is currently preparing a
conference in regards to the wider issue which will take place in 2004,
where
professionals from various fields are invited to discuss and prepare a
conceptual base for future projects, which might take place as open
submissions or particular commissions.


Kathrin Böhm, Wapke Feenstra and Antje Schiffers                May 2003












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