Sonsbeek 2016: transACTION
4 June – 18 September 2016, Park Sonsbeek and other locations, Arnhem
Inleiding
In 2016, the Indonesian curatorial collective ruangrupa presented Sonsbeek’16: transACTION, an edition that focused primarily on connection, interaction, and participation. The emphasis was on collaboration with residents, local communities, and visitors, where art was not only exhibited but actively became part of city life.
The kickoff took place in July 2015, a year before the official opening, with the launch of the “ruruhuis” in a vacant retail space in the center of Arnhem. This lively meeting point offered a diverse program: discussions, workshops, lectures, culinary activities, performances, pop-up markets, and karaoke nights. Here, curators, artists, and Arnhem residents came together, creating a new shared space for creativity and exchange.
Park Sonsbeek remained the heart of the exhibition, but art and activities spread throughout the city. Exhibitions were held at Museum Arnhem (transHISTORY) and Museum Bronbeek (SO by Juud Sadée). A notable aspect of Sonsbeek ’16 was the strong involvement of Arnhem-based artists, including Rob Voerman, Kevin van Braak, and Alphons ter Avest.
Many works were designed to bring people together, encouraging encounters and conversation. Through an open call, the public could even temporarily take over and use certain works without intervention from the artist or curator. Weddings took place in Eko Prawoto’s bamboo pavilion, performances were held in the large “tent” by KUNSTrePUBLIK—constructed from refugee life jackets—and communal cooking and dining activities were organized in Alphons ter Avest’s Bakehouse.
In addition, large murals appeared throughout the city, most of which remain visible today. With transACTION, Sonsbeek once again pushed the boundaries of the exhibition: art became a dynamic, social, and participatory process that actively engaged both the city and its inhabitants.
Artists
- Alphons ter Avest
- ARKIPEL & Focus Filmtheater
- Richard Bell
- Rosella Biscotti
- Michael Blum
- Maze de Boer
- Kevin van Braak
- CAMP, Dady de Maximo & Arnhem voor Vluchtelingen
- Cinema Caravan
- City of the Children
- Tiffany Chung
- Contact Gonzo & Arnhemse Meisjes/Generale Oost
- Louie Cordero
- Cráter Invertido & Motel Spatie
- Cut and Rescue
- Sebastián Diaz Morales
- Shilpa Gupta
- Iswanto Hartono
- Jatiwangi Art Factory
- Folkert de Jong
- Eva Kot’átková
- KUNSTrePUBLIK
- Agung Kurniawan
- Zbigniew Libera
- Charles Lim
- Tayeba Begum Lipi
- Fintan Magee
- Mixrice & Galerie de Vijf Ramen
- Naamloozz & Remco Visser
- Otobong Nkanga
- Nnamari
- Jean-Gabriel Périot
- Eko Prawoto
- Marco Paulo Rolla
- Jan Rothuizen
- Juul Sadée
- Mark Salvatus
- Sivanski
- Slavs and Tartars
- Tranzitdisplay & Code Rood
- Marishka Soekarna
- Reinaart Vanhoe
- Roy Villevoye & Jan Dietvorst
- Rob Voerman
- Jeroen Glissenaar (park manager, honorary title)
Locations
- Ruruhuis
- Park Sonsbeek
- Arnhem Centrum
- Museum Arnhem
- Museum Bronbeek
Facts and figures
128,000 visits · 45 artists and collectives · 17 newly commissioned artwors · 7 murals · 13 local collaborations · 150 volunteers · 80 open call activities by the public, amongs others 3 weddings · 196 guided tours · 269,355 reach online individuals
Publicaties
— Catalog: Sonsbeek ’16: transACTION, 2016 — Kids Doe Boek, 2016 · Design: Thonik · Publisher: Rikken print B.V. — The ruruhuis (Arnhem 2015-...) · Author and editor: Reinaart Vanhoe · Design: Corine van der Wal · Publisher: Onomatopee
