Van Oldenborgh (Rotterdam, 1962) presented a constellation of eight works in an exhibition design by architect Milica Topalovic. The works were presented in various rooms around a central space, as separate options in a larger story. Episodes from the Dutch colonial history (Indonesia, Brazil, Suriname) were placed alongside stories about contemporary subcultures.
Subcultures
In the piece Sound Track Stage, two icons of the musical styles hip-hop and hardcore discuss the characteristics of the subcultures they represent. The piece could be regarded as an evocative reflection on the issues that Dutch society is currently wrestling with, such as national identity. But the piece is equally a plea for the recognition of the emancipating potential of subcultures. With her work, Van Oldenborgh identifies the subculture as an arena in which concepts about community and society can be tested and proved. The Basis for a Song compares the issue of housing shortage past and present.
Colonial legacies
In others works, Van Oldenborgh examines the conflictual present-day through the mirror of the past, making new connections visible. In the film installation No False Echoes the recital of the text ‘Als ik eens Nederlander was’ (If I were a Dutchman) written by an Indonesian freedom fighter, acquires uncomfortable undertones when it becomes apparent that the speaker is the rapper Salah Edin, whose own raps are critical of Dutchness. In Maurits Script a diverse group of of speakers recount and discuss different perspectives of the seventeenth century Dutch colonial history in Brazil. Maurits Film, filmed in Recife, functioned as a companion piece to Maurits Script, featuring a group of Brazilians who discuss the legacy of Dutch colonial rule.
Roleplay and personal perspectives
Wendelien van Oldenborgh experiments with various formats in her work. She operates between documentary and feature film, radio play and talk show, and experiments with role reversal among the actors and audience in order to gain new insights into social relationships. The decline of the great ideologies has created space for the personal perspective. Different views of reality can exist alongside each other without having to look for the one conclusive interpretation.
The guidebook accompanying the exhibition featured an essay by author Peio Aguirre.