on the intersections and idiosyncrasies of art history and cultural theory
by Britte Sloothaak
Here for Now, Then and There is a series of research logs focusing on the difference between art historical thinking and cultural theory, aimed at broadening the scope for viewing and thinking about individual artworks, collections, and exhibition histories. Inspired by the 2020 Stedelijk exhibition In the Presence of Absence (co-curated by Britte Sloothaak and Fadwa Naamna), the log entries revolve around discrepancies between knowledge structures (frameworks) and ways to connect them. Here for Now, Then and There is a continuously evolving study staged through a variety of public events, including exhibitions. The research logs will be published over the course of 2022 and conclude as a series in December.
The Here for Now, Then and There research log series will cover a range of public events. Firstly, under the working title Looking at Art through Theory, a series of topical conversations with leading thinkers is scheduled to take place at the Stedelijk in the Spring of 2022, insights from which may inform a larger public program in the Fall. These conversations will seek new perspectives on art via cultural analysis, material culture, and heritage studies. They will take the form of talks recorded as (video) podcasts in the exhibition rooms of the Stedelijk Museum collection presentations, and published online here on Stedelijk Studies.
In the Fall of 2022, a discursive project encompassing talks, lecture performances, and other forms of knowledge exchange (working title) will be organized in a joint curatorial process involving the Kunstinstituut Melly (with Vivian Ziherl) and Metropolis M (with Domeniek Ruyters). A series of gatherings will take place in the same period (Sept-Dec) in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam anticipates mounting an art and design exhibition titled Municipal Art Acquisitions (working title) in late 2022, co-curated with Amanda Pinatih. The projects from which the exhibitions are to be sourced will be proposed to the director and curatorial team, and a selection will be acquired for the museum’s collection.
Britte Sloothaak is an art historian and curator. She currently holds the position of Curator of Contemporary Art and Public Programs at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, where she curates exhibitions and develops lecture series. Since October 2020, she has divided her time between Amsterdam and Eindhoven, in the latter of which she joined the Curatorial Research Collective (CRC) as a PhD candidate.
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