Activism using mass media

This project was developed in collaboration with Foundland, a collective with artist/designers Ghalia Elsrakbi and Dirk Vis. We research the functioning of design and media within a political context. We work on self initiated projects, which operate on the border of art and design, and allow us to use media, which we are commenting on, to spread our work to mainstream, and arts related audiences.

During the last week of February 2010, we launched a campaign in Amsterdam and Den Haag, called “Sunshine is the Best Disinfectant”.  The campaign co-insided with the Dutch municipal elections, which took place on March 3, 2010. The elections have caused much controversy because of the alarming popularity of the far-right wing party, the PVV (Party for Freedom). One of the policies which the PVV would like to introduce, is the banning of headscarves worn in public space. The radical nature of their intentions and statements, are embraced by a large number of the population and therefore promote heightened levels of fear and xenophobia. The populist tactics of right wing parties used in party promotion campaigns, in parliamentary speeches etc in recent times has proven to be very successful. Radical, and sometimes fascist statements used in populist right wing campaigns are, however, not a new phenomenon. The campaign “Sunshine the best disinfectant” subverts a collection of these statements or quotes, as they have been used since the 1950’s in Holland, not surprisingly coinciding with the first wave of migrant workers, who were integrated into Dutch society. For our campaign, the quotes are converted into statements about the weather or about gardening. The campaign was seen on Salto TV Amsterdam, on street and tram posters in Den Haag and Amsterdam.

Also see: Sunshine is the best disinfectant campaign

From advertising space to art space

As a follow up to the “Sunshine is the best disinfectant” campaign, On Sunday the 23 May 2010 Foundland planted a word garden at the Nieuwe Vide artspace in Harlem. We planted the word “Buitenland” which means “outside land”, or abroad. We used the word because it has come to represent a political debate in parliament, despite being a banal word. The neighbourhood living around Nieuwe Vide were invited to join in the planting. “Buitenland” became a public art piece outside the art space, for the neighborhood to see.