‘Als je goed om je heen kijkt, zie je dat alles gekleurd is.’ [Roughly translated: If you look well at your surroundings, you’ll see that everything has color.] This wonderful poem by K. Schippers relates to the way in which reality can surprise us. That pivoting of perspectives constitutes the core of the exhibition ‘010 + 010 = 020, Street Special’. From trash bags and bins to graffiti, frozen paint, Mickey Mouse, Destiny, intrusive presence, colorful fabrics, impatient drivers, a glance into a rearview mirror, dismal shelters and a tangle of plants from a museum garden: the state of the street, the city, the world has color!
‘010 + 010 = 020, Street Special’ is a special intermezzo in the gallery’s programming. The exhibition consists solely of work by artists who live or work in Rotterdam, have been born there or have another connection with the city. The idea for this exhibition came about via the work of Rotterdam’s artistic duo J&B (Jacob Zwan and Bert Frings): J&B respond to the street in their work, drawing attention to stickers, posters, graffiti, but also everyday situations that we usually overlook. When asked if the launch of a new book about J&B, Special Treats, Street Special, could be held in our gallery, we proposed linking that presentation with a group show of work by Rotterdam artists who have some relationship with J&B.
From a longlist naming artists with whom J&B have close ties, whom they admire or who in fact have a very different view of reality than they do, we made a selection of nine artists. The work in the exhibition is diverse, involving young and old and a mix of disciplines, genders and ethnic backgrounds. The exhibition’s title ‘010 + 010 = 020, Street Special’ pokes fun at the world of football and the clichés of 010/020 (Rotterdam/Amsterdam) rivalry that are still rampant. Having Rotterdam in Amsterdam shows that if you look well at your surroundings, the most diverse perspectives can spark off exciting energy.
At the opening of the exhibition on 3 December, the book about J&B will be presented with a brief introductory program. Edo Dijksterhuis, who wrote the texts for the book, will interview the artists and he will hand out the first copy of the book to Cathy Jacob, Head of Exhibitions, Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam. The book’s spectacular design, by Dirk Laucke, is echoed in the entrance to the exhibition.