As you slowly shuffle past, you observe the work. Calmly you gaze sitting on the wooden museum bench. Quietly staring at performers in a gallery. There is no need to always experience art alone, and certainly not always in silence. We like to encourage conversation. We love talking about art. This is why Het HEM and the Vrije Academie present De Kunstsalon. Here we invite visitors to learn to look collectively and formulate observations. Every Kunstsalon we discuss one work by an artist we want to know more about. In the impressive Jacob de Witte room of Huis Vasari on the Herengracht, their artwork takes centre stage - a safe space to look, learn to trust and form your own judgement, without prior knowledge. A blank experience, where you cannot read up or prepare. To best experience this collective art experience, we ask you to hand in your phone. Like a concert or theatre performance, we challenge you to concentrate fully on the work and interaction with your fellow visitors.
In the first round of discussions, the artist is not present. As a group, we observe and discuss what we see. We share different ideas and ways of thinking and collectively gather new insights in the process. Guided by an art historian, using Visual Thinking & Visible Thinking strategies, we get closer and closer to the core of the work. In the end, everything revolves around how you relate to art: what is it that you see and what is it that you feel?
In the second round, the artist joins us. What he/she/they see in the work and how it came to realisation forms a new layer of meaning in the conversation between the artist, moderator, and audience. We narrow the gap between what the viewer experiences and what the maker intends: all observations are welcome and valid.
Vrije Academie and Het HEM look forward to welcoming you during De Kunstsalon: a series of evenings with works by diverse artists, in collaboration with Amsterdam galleries and organisations Sexyland, Annet Gelink and Madé van Krimpen. On 22 September, 13 October and 10 November, we will discuss art with you, in House Vasari of the Free Academy. Please note that these events will be held in Dutch.
Programme 2023 22 September: Kunstsalon #1 13 October: Kunstsalon #2 24 November: Kunstsalom #3