Crip the art world!

During the conversations held in De Balie, the search for the right language to use for this diverse group was a common topic. The language hardly exists, and the words that currently do exist are often seen as offensive by a part of the group. Perhaps we could call it ‘art outside of the margins’. Some call it ‘art brut’, or ‘outsider art’. During this event we used the phrase ‘Cripping the artworld’. The term ‘crip’ is derived from the word ‘cripple’. The word has been reclaimed by the community: it has become a nickname, but is also a loaded name. As far as we know, there is currently no overarching name for the broad spectrum of artists that work outside of the margins that has come from the community itself.

Will we go looking for new words, or should we completely let go of this language? Do we need a new word to place this group? Simomo Bouj asked these kinds of questions to the public, who could answer with bananas and zucchini. These answers were unambiguous, and often we would prefer to hold up a more nuanced half banana. We are looking forward to continue the search for the right (or wrong) language to use on our way towards a more inclusive artworld.

Rewatch the evening here!

Speakers and performers: Rein Wolfs (Director Stedelijk Museum), Bruin Parry (Pop singer and artist), Mette Sterre (Artist), Jan Hoek (Artist and founder No Limits! Art Castle), Mira Thompson (Singer, teacher and activist), Jonathan de Regt (Artist) Hans Looijen (Director Museum van de Geest), Simomo Bouj (Performer and deputy director No Limits! Art Castle), Madelon van Riel (Project leader curriculum Art & Care at Cordaan), Laurien Saraber (Director AFK), Menko Dijksterhuis (Artist and activist), Alcide Breaux (interdisciplinary artist and bioethicist). The conversation was led by Rokhaya Seck. The artworks on the couch were made by door Mette Sterre and Jonathan de Regt.

Photography by Jan Boev