‘Meeting and connecting’ in Hellendoorn

‘Meeting and connecting’ is the motto of the new Huis voor Cultuur en Bestuur in Nijverdal. The multifunctional building, which was built according to the impressive design by the architects, Claus en Kaan, will unite the local government of the municipality of Hellendoorn (made up of Haarle, Daarle, Daarlerveen, Hellendoorn, Marle and Nijverdal) under one roof. This is where administrators can attend to cultural affairs that involve a theater, a library, the Culturele Raad Hellendoorn (cultural board), the Grand Café, Centrum voor Werk en Inkomen (CWI/social securities office) and the VVV (tourist information office). The four realized works have transformed the Huis voor Cultuur en Bestuur into a place where one can fully experience the union of a diverse group of residents.

Impressions of the motto
Using photographs from newspapers and archives, German artist, Peter Piller, created an exhibition about ‘Het Geheugen van de gemeente Hellendoorn’ (‘the collective memory of Hellendoorn’). The archival images have been liberated from their original contexts and, consequently, forge remarkable new parallels.
Hans Aarsman and Erik Kessels dedicated themselves to creating a sense of love among the towns of Hellendoorn. For example, they organized a publicity campaign that lead to a group marriage. Imca Marina attended this ceremony, which took place on 11 May.
Claudy Jongstra upholstered the interior of the Huis voor Cultuur en Bestuur with a custom-designed fabric that features a pattern in which contrasting elements are united. With the help of LED technology, KEPP made an allusion to the Regge River, both in the floor and in the garden of the Huis voor Cultuur en Bestuur.

The artists and their projects

Peter Piller: Het geheugen van de Gemeente Hellendoorn
Peter Piller (1968, Fritzlar, Germany) works with ‘found images’ that picture everyday life and that he finds in the archives of, for example, regional newspapers and real estate agents. When Piller reorganizes and prints these images into new series, their original meanings are lost and replaced by remarkable new meanings that serve to make new relationships visible. Piller was commissioned to create a collective portrait of the entire municipality of Hellendoorn. To this end, he did extensive fieldwork in various archives, documented today’s image of Hellendoorn with self-made photographs and maintained intensive contact with a number of Hellendoorn’s residents. Piller’s project eventually culminated in a book for Hellendoorn’s residents, three temporary exhibitions and a permanent projection of the portrait on the facade of the new Huis voor Cultuur en Bestuur. In this portrait, the images of the different sources will be combined for the first time. And the different worlds that constitute Hellendoorn’s identity will unite through the intimacy of Piller’s book and the liveliness of the town square.

Hans Aarsman/Erik Kessels: Het Huwelijk (the marriage)
The art project ‘Het Huwelijk’ by Hans Aarsman and Erik Kessels was based on the uniting of the different towns that make up Hellendoorn and, in particular, the love that characterizes the relationships between its residents. By means of a publicity campaign - that was specifically developed for this purpose and featured both mysterious as well as explicit texts, a website and parties – Hans Aarsman and Erik Kessels united the residents for a finale: a group marriage that took place during the opening of the Huis voor Cultuur en Bestuur. On 11 May at 11.00 am provided Imca Marina the couples with an unforgettable memory in the spectacular Council Chamber of the new building.

Claudy Jongstra: upholstering the Huis voor Cultuur en Bestuur
Claudy Jongstra is responsible for the upholstery of the Huis voor Cultuur en Bestuur. Jongstra is a designer and works almost exclusively with handmade felt. For the multifunctional hall, the theater and the Council Chamber, she designed felt fabrics that feature the interplay of lines as a motif. Connecting contrasting elements is the main theme of this design. The Council Chamber, which was designed by architect firm, Claus en Kaan, reminds one of a nomad tent. However it’s mainly the upholstery that uses dull, shiny, light and dark shades of blue on the exterior and white ecru tints in all kinds of finishing touches on the interior that makes the Council Chamber the highlight of the building’s interior. Just like the blue color of the Council Chamber’s exterior, the green upholstery in the multifunctional hall was inspired by the colors of Hellendoorn’s coat of arms. Finally, the warm red color scheme of the theater alludes to the tradition of the performing arts.

KKEP: De Regge in Licht (the illuminated Regge river)
The work of KKEP (Stef and Selene Kolman) was placed in the floor and garden of the new Huis voor Cultuur en Bestuur and looks like a meandering illuminated path. With the use of LED technology, it alludes to the Regge river, which serves to unite the towns of Hellendoorn. In the past the Regge facilitated trade, the textile industry and general welfare and today it provides water and recreation. In the course of 2008, when the town square of the Huis voor Cultuur en Bestuur is complete, the illuminated line will be extended across the Henri Dunantplein (square) and, when its dark, will provide a festive symbol for uniting and unity.

These works were commissioned by the municipality of Hellendoorn, in collaboration with SKOR (Stichting Kunst en Openbare Ruimte) and Kunst & Cultuur Overijssel (KCO). They were realized with the financial support of the municipality of Hellendoorn, SKOR, the Province of Overijssel, KCO and the Prince Bernard Cultural Foundation.