Nulgraad
by Charl Landvreugd
During Nulgraad (Degree-zero), guest curator Charl Landvreugd painted a vision of Amsterdam’s future — starting from what he calls the ‘zero degree’.
Together with artist Yazan Maksoud (the Builder), he laid the foundation for this vision, inspired by a Tembe-structure and the city’s layout. Maksoud created a moving installation made up of modular city segments, echoing the spirit of Amsterdam. Landvreugd invited a variety of artists and collectives to shape the content of this growing piece. Surrounded by everyday video footage, there were three key moments where these contributors presented their work. All of these contributions together form a future vision of Amsterdam — one that grows from the new space we call today: the zero degree. With contributions from: Simone Zeefuik (the Poet), Otion (the Master of Sceneries), Denzel Veerkamp (the Designer), AiRich (the Map Maker), Kevin Osepa (the Artist), and Diaspora Wellhouse (the Healers).
Team
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Charl Landvreugd
curatorCharl Landvreugd grew up in Rotterdam during a time when the Netherlands became home to various migrant communities. As part of this vibrant environment, he advocates for local Continental European concepts and language that emerge from this context — concepts that hold the potential to articulate sensitivities specific to the region. Drawing from a wide range of artistic disciplines, he applies the outcomes of his research to reflect on ideas of citizenship, belonging, and how these themes manifest, particularly within the visual arts.
Process
"Nulgraad views the blend of diverse artistic and cultural elements as a new space — a universal truth, an original beginning, a baseline, an unburdened zone. In this environment, the origin of things is never immediately clear, and yet, they’ve always been there. Within Nulgraad, seven artists come together to create from this zero level. Their practice stems from their reality as cultural citizens — their work should not be seen as the result of a cultural mix, but as something born from the original beginning that nulgraad represents. The culture they create is one for those who are yet to arrive, yet have been here all along." (Charl Landvreugd)
Nulgraad Aarde
The first presentation revolved around defining Nulgraad Aarde (Degree-zero Earth) by means of: mapping the environment, physical maintenance through food, aesthetic coolness and personal spiritual development. With: AiRich (the Map Maker), Denzel Veerkamp (the Designer) and Simone Zeefuik (the Poet).
Nulgraad Bos
The second presentation: Nulgraad Bos (Degree-zero Forest) was all about the power of ritual as a foundation for social cohesion. With: Diaspora WellHouse (The Healers).
Nulgraad Water & Lucht
The third presentation, Nulgraad Water & Lucht (Degree-zero Water & Air), looks at the smell of the city, how it is created and whether this can have a healing effect on the residents. What sound does the city produce and will we live in a digitally dominated reality in the future or will it all become simpler? With: Kevin Osepa (the Artist) and Otion (the Master of Sceneries).
Nulgraad publication launch
During an intimate gathering, Charl Landvreugd presented a publication for which he collaborated with creative studio Vinger.nl from Amsterdam Southeast. This publication accompanies the three presentations that attempted to provide insight into the 'Nulgraad' (Degree-zero). We witnessed a 'performance lecture' by Landvreugd himself, a unique concept through which he archives his oeuvre and development as an artist using text and music. The first copy of the Nulgraad publication was presented by District Administrator Vincent de Kom.
