Dutch Annual Open Studio Weekend 2018 is on for studio visits

Once a year, the Dutch Foundation Art Week (Stichting Kunstweek in Dutch) promotes an art event called the National Art Week. During the first weekend (4 + 5 november 2017) the National Open Studio Weekend takes place. During this weekend (professional) artists open their studios to interested parties. This is the opportunity to see artists at work in their studio and to the artists the opportunity to show their work to new audiences.

Earlier this year I decided to participate. It is the first time I participate in such an event and I am curious how many people will actually stop by, come in and take a look. I believe such an event works best if the visitors already have a sense of the kind of art the artist is making and maybe even are interested in buying an artwork from the artist. 

So, if you have no particular plans this weekend and would like to take a look in my art sanctuary, you are most welcome to visit! All kinds of drinks and snacks are available to make the visit even more pleasurable.  

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Moved into my new studio in Leidschendam

Although I received the keys to my new studio earlier, I moved my canvases, paint and other stuff today. And as with many of my projects, I properly underestimated the amount of work involved.

A week earlier I had made a fair deal with Jeroen, one of my 'neighbours' in the old building, to help me move four large pieces of furniture while I helped him out moving his stuff.

So how hard could it be? All the heavy stuff had been moved already.

Easy

Confident this would be a piece of cake, I envisioned a nice early start at 09.00h. After which it would take just 'a few' hours around my old studio to load 'a few' canvases, a bit of paint, two office chairs and some random other stuff in the chartered van. Then it would take four kilometers, a five minute drive, and two hours tops to unload all the stuff into my new creative sanctuary. I even would have an hour or two in the late afternoon to do some work. Easy!

It turned out a little bit different.

Stairs and large paintings

First, the paintings. Apparently I had been a bit more productive in the past three years than I remembered. Second, quite a few paintings did have a size that seriously limited the possibility of handling more than one painting at a time. And third, I severly underestimated the amount of doors and stairs in the new building I had to conquer to get to my new studio.

Satisfied

When I finished it was diner time. My legs felt I had run the New York Marathon after a night out with a few drinks too many. But I was satisfied. The old studio was emtpy. My new studio a chaos. But with all the stuff on the right location, I locked the door. Tired but satisfied.

Another upside

One other advantage of moving stuff is the re-discovery of some old stuff you forget you had. Sometimes it's a trip down memory lane. Sometimes it brings extra inspiration. The latter is the case with the artworks shown below. Most of them are unfinished but I still see why I choose to make them and why I should be making more, :)

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Good bye old studio and hello new studio!

The Mr. Upside studio is moving! Due to the planned demolition of the old building 'De Verlichting' in The Hague and the construction of garages, Mr. Upside has to move the paints, canvases and brushes to former office building Sector V in Leidschendam.

Too bad. The high ceilings, the natural light through the large windows and a unique, relaxed atmosphere were awesome. 'De Verlichting' offered startups and smaller companies nice units in various buildings which together felt like a small campus.

Sector V. Leidschendam

The new location, called 'Sector V' is also a former office but much larger. My estimation would be that it is build in the mid 70's. And those years didn't end up in the history books as the most creative years architectural wise. The smaller windows, low ceilings and the larger number of units, giving it a distinctly different look and feel.

 

Alternative location

The organisation behind these renovated offices, Conceptors, was also very surprised when the city of The Hague announced the plans for the necessary decontamination of the soil under 'De Verlichting'. Fortunately they where able to find a good alternative in the form of Sector V.

Ofcourse it is the tenants who make a certain vibe in a building. That's why I am confident that eventually it will all turn out fine.

You are invited

Come get a look at the new studio! I have plans for a permanent Open Studio Day every week. Probably Wednesday. But ofcourse you are always welcome. Call, email or send a Whatsapp message and I'll get the coffee or tea ready!

New address

Mr. Upside Art
Sector V Building - Vlietweg 15
2266 KA Leidschendam

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