During the transition period to a sustainable building, some of our programming will land in various spaces of Het HEM. At the same time, we will be fully available for business rentals.
Art is our first language. Even while we are closed for renovations, our programming continues. You will find our art programmes at off-site locations throughout the year and on the digital platform The Couch. The permanent installations in Het HEM will remain open to the public after the renovation.
Our music programme focuses on experimental ways of making, presenting and experiencing sound in the building through listening sessions, live performances and musical artist-in-residence programmes. During renovations, we organise music programmes at off-site locations and on the digital platform The Couch.
We are closed at the moment. When we are open again you are welcome for a drink and a bite, wine and dine at our restaurant. With good wether we suggest you settle down on our sunny terrace on the Costa del Zaano.
Het HEM loves books. During your visit, come lose yourself in the library's rich selection or discover new favourites in the SANZ Shop.
The building's industrial design and our experimental art programme bring ambience and meaning to every event.
Situated in a former munitions factory, Het HEM is a new home for contemporary culture.
During the final weekend of Chapter 5IVE, we delve into the value of gardening. Maintaining a garden, or 'cultivating' a piece of land, has many metaphorical meanings. During this afternoon we invite various speakers to explore the impact of gardening on a personal, a social, an artistic and a philosophical level.
The speakers of this afternoon are:
Niek Overmars, gardener and board member of the Zaanse allotment garden Nut & Genoegen, close to Het HEM. Niek will tell us about the history of this complex that is more than a hundred years old and especially established for employees of the weapon factory based on the Hembrug-terrain. Remarkably Nut & Genoegen used to be called ‘Oorlog’ (‘war’ in dutch), because the land was owned by the War Department. Especially in the early days, the fruit and vegetables grown here were a much-needed addition to their daily food supply.
Nanny Peereboom, gardener and board member of allotment association Jan Vroegop in Zaandam, will share a personal story of a gardener for whom the garden has proved to be an important source of support and comfort during difficult times. What can a garden mean to you personally? Nanny will also bring some products from the garden and booklets about Jan Vroegop's 75th anniversary.
Debra Solomon is artist, initiator of Urbaniahoeve, and in her own words a 'reluctant activist'. Debra tells a passionate story about the universal right to food. Whereas food in our current society is seen as a profitable product, Debra believes that it should be a fundamental right for everyone and within the boundaries of our cities she sees plenty of opportunities to develop a fair and equal food system in which no one needs to fall short.
Angela Jerardi and students of the Gerrit Rietveld academy 'Garden Department' are convinced that through gardening they can radically change the educational system - art education in particular. What do we learn from the rhythm of nature and the care for our living environment, and how can we give these insights a place in learning and studying itself?
Claudy Jongstra is worldwide renowned for her designs made of wool and other organic materials. Her work is collected by the Rijksmuseum, Victoria & Albert Museum and the MoMA, to name just a few. Together with her partner Claudia Busson, she also manages several botanical (die-) gardens and works with farmers from their native Friesland and far beyond. Claudy and Claudia talk about the insights they have gained from their worldwide research.
During the afternoon products by local gardeners will be for sale, and our in house bakery Solinger will serve fresh bread and other baked goods. The programme is (mainly) in Dutch with live translations of English contributions to Dutch.