Where Do We Go From Here?

Amsterdam's cultural scene has been enriched with a new and special initiative: six leading galleries in the Jordaan are jointly organizing an art project titled Where do we go from here?

“Careless speech has rarely had such disturbing consequences. The recent US Presidential election, the British Brexit vote, the upcoming Dutch national elections - what better time to question the role of speech, Who speaks, Who acts? There is a significant sense that we simply don’t understand the direction of travel currently being followed. Now, at the beginning of 2017, there are many rallying cries to make this year different to the last. Where do we go from here? starts with this question”.

At a time when the cultural sector is under strain and populist agendas are growing, many feel the need for reflection and a different response to fragmentation, individualism, self-interest and fear. For this project, the six galleries are functioning as one exhibition space. Works by twenty-five artists will be shown, mostly within galleries that don’t normally represent them. Some of the artworks, performances and site-specific pieces have been produced specially for this occasion. By including the public space between the galleries, the neighbourhood has become dynamically involved with Where do we go from here? Originally a working-class neighbourhood, the Jordaan has grown into an urban district, being both socially and economically diverse. Each street is packed with history, and the area is reflecting the global issues that underly the concept of the show.