Alex Naber

Being your own subject. Exploring your own feelings and needs and expressing them. Alex Naber’s work focusses on himself. In drawings, paintings and performances he’s found a medium to portray his state of mind. Driven by his unbridled fantasy he tries to make things go his way. He’s looking for hís Utopia. Naber has got Down syndrome. This blocks his quest for a wife, and is the starting point for his presentation for House of Arts. He brings the spectator on a physical adventure, where the difference between men and women is not a factor. With wisdom, humor and without embarrassment he grants us a glimpse into his world.

HOA Alex Naber (english)

Originally she’s a painter, but meanwhile Fransje Killaars astonishes with her brightly colored and three dimensional  installations of textile. Her work highlights the power and symbolism of colors, materials, space and different cultures. She gives everyday applications of textile a unique artistic interpretation. Handwoven rugs, walls coated with fabrics, screens made up of layers of fabric and blankets covering human figures. Killaars creates reflective spaces of serenity, harmony, self-indulgence and the sense of touch.

HOA Fransje Killaars (english)

Young Thug, Donald Duck, but also Dutch folk hero André Hazes. Kamp Seedorf is a guerrilla collective that’s been providing the boring concrete of Almere of graffiti since the eighties. They claim their place with direct and humoristic graffiti pieces of characters from the hiphop, soccer and cult scene. Almere, a city with almost no artistic reference point has raised street artists with international recognition. In the debate about art versus vandalism, very few people get a chance to see a real Kamp Seedorf piece in public space, since they are normally removed within days. A new series of pieces can be seen in all its glory in House of Arts for no less than six months.

HOA Kamp Seedorf (english)

Kasper Jongejan. Windmills, tulips and clogs: that’s The Netherlands! Or is that something of the past? All over the world communities are recognized by their traditional garments. Can a young city like Almere be recognized this way as well? And can we speak of a local identity based on the clothing of its inhabitants? This the centre of the analysis that fashion designer Kasper Jongejan embarked on for KAF. Architecture, infrastructure and urban development, but also social-economical components weighed in on his research. He translated the results into a new wearable collection for both men and women. ‘Dracht’ (folk costume). A reflection of Almere’s Identity through his eyes.

HOA Kasper Jongejan (english)

Lenny Schröder’s “Slow look” eludes itself from the breathlessness of the fast art world. Her concepts are custom made, based on the space they’re seen in. The works exhibited here have been made specifically for the architecture of the stylistic SANAA-building. Schröder manipulates daylight with color filters, which makes the space a reflection of whatever is happening outside the building. Nothing is forever in her works. Everything moves along with nature and her work unfolds itself as a landscape of stilled moments. Every spectator recreates the image. When do you like the space the most?

HOA Lenny Schroder (english)

René van Zuuk 

Technology and innovative techniques are an important part of the work of architect René van Zuuk. You may know him as the creator of The Wave, a building in Almere. René is always looking ahead. He developed a computer controlled 3D-cutter, that cuts complex shapes from a block of Styrofoam. Being environmentally conscious during his work is important for him. Therefore, the 3D cutter doesn’t leave any residual material. The first building created with this technology can be found in Slochteren, in the northeast of The Netherlands: De Koperen Kamer (The Copper Chamber). In House of Arts he invites you to his designing table. His room functions as a laboratory for experiments in architecture. Are you not familiar with The Wave? Ask an employee to guide you to the other side of the building, from where you’ll be able to see it easily.

HOA Rene Van Zuuk (english)

Studio Makkink & Bey

Urban development, architecture and landscape design are inseparably connected to product design in the eyes of Rianne Makkink and Jurgen Bey. The duo works on several segments of applied art from their design studio Studio Makkink & Bey. They examine the tension between the private and public domain. Their farm in the Noordoostpolder functions as a working space for several Artists in Residence that co-created the exposition for KAF. A sharp analysis of current affairs, such as natural disasters and the refugee situation, leads to smart design solutions. Along with this they find an optimal use for their neighborhood, building or product.

HOA Studio Makkink & Bey (english)

MMT Anouk Van Klaveren (english)

MMT Bas van Klompenburg (english)

House of Arts 

Only few people know that the province of Flevoland is a place where artistic innovation has been manifesting itself for years. The exhibition ‘House of Arts’ highlights this by exhibiting work of seven artists from Flevoland that’s never been seen before. KAF gave them carte blanch to design one of the seven exposition rooms themselves. The unifying factor is their place of residence. But is this visible in their work? Can patterns and common characteristics be discovered? You decide.

KAF - Kunstlinie Almere Flevoland