BLUEPRINT: Whose urban appropriation is this? was a multidisciplinary group exhibition and public programme curated by guest curator Metro54. This collective invited architects, designers, rappers, producers and artists to show new and existing work on the relationship between architecture and street culture.
Rotterdam is the hip-hop city of the Netherlands and architecture and urban arts & culture are deeply rooted in the city's DNA. Old city districts and new bombastic architecture alternate and function as a breeding ground for a contemporary art, performance and music culture. BLUEPRINT intervened in this by looking at the ways in which the city and its architecture are appropriated in street culture. Special attention was paid to themes such as 'architecture and identity formation' and 'urban appropriation of street culture', whereby connections were made between the metropolitan culture of Rotterdam and that of cities such as London, Paris, Lisbon and Lluanda.
Appropriation of TENT
Architect Afaina de Jong and designer Innavisions, together with Metro54, appropriated the physical exhibition space by intervening in the architecture of TENT. Their colorful, geometric decors formed a backdrop and stage for the work of makers who use codes such as 'realness' and the visual language of hip hop for work that resonates in both street culture and contemporary art.
By distancing itself from the cliché of the white cube, TENT was transformed into an experimental playground and meeting place where installations, sound works, music videos, live performances, conversations, discussions and take-overs alternated. In this way, Metro54 wanted to keep a culture that is constantly in motion alive within the walls of the institute.
Polyphonic public programme
The exhibition formed the setting for a multi-voiced public program, consisting of weekly lectures, a film screening, symposium and pop-up video installation, realized in collaboration with HipHopHuis, BIRD, Studio Narrative and AFARAI. With visitors, guest speakers, artists, musicians, dancers and architects, urban appropriation, socio-cultural issues, architecture and ownership in the city were critically questioned and contextualized.
Metro54
Metro54 is a platform for young makers who push the boundaries of their disciplines, with a special focus on talents who draw their inspiration from the metropolitan melting pots of the world. BLUEPRINT was part of Metro54's multi-year focus on cultural appropriation. Metro54's artistic director is Amal Alhaag.
TENT x Metro54
The connection with the city of Rotterdam forms a basis from which TENT continually seeks answers to the question: What can this place in the centre of Rotterdam be? Who is this place for and by? What art and culture are at home here? TENT welcomed the take-over by BLUEPRINT, and the themes of ownership and appropriation that Metro54 put on the agenda, as a way to look at contemporary urban culture and as a way to further stretch its own frameworks.
BLUEPRINT was part of Rotterdam Architecture Month and was supported by the Creative Industries Stimulation Fund and Rotterdam Festivals.