Keep making art

According to Wilders, in the Netherlands, I quote, "time and again [...] the same group of people get their way: highly educated Holland." If only that were true, I immediately think, but the moment that thought enters my mind, I already address myself: that's not how it works. But why do I think that? Probably because I assume that educated people are better informed and tend to think more critically. Whether that is really the case, I don't know at all; it certainly won't be that black and white.

"Cutting education, makes stupid voters," I once heard someone say. But what is stupid and who is stupid? In this quote, stupid actually means "ignorant. That's a better word. Populists play on "gut feelings" of ignorant voters, exploit ignorance. Ideas packaged in plain language, packaged as black and white as possible, are offered with a proverbial big bow around it that reads, 'This is the Solution, Believe Me Now!'

Cutting education, makes stupid voters

The populist mission of the PVV has succeeded - for the moment. Too bad for them that those highly educated people occasionally get in the way, including the entire cultural sector, including visual artists. But a solution has already been devised for that too: Wilders wants all art and cultural subsidies to be stopped.

What can we do, what can artists do? How do we stay afloat in case the art sector completely collapses? How can we still make our voices heard then? I would say: keep making art. Because whatever happens in politics, art liberates, gives a different insight, shows things in a different way, gives confidence and comfort. That art does all those things is shown by every exhibition of art: everything is thought-provoking. Art gives freedom and a different view of the world, which is also needed now more than ever in our country. Keep making art!

Keep making art! Keep seeking freedom, and keep using and protecting the artist's free space - in which anything can happen and be conceived - keep using and protecting that space. And keep visiting exhibitions to highlight the importance of art and support other artists.

Keep making art!

And to governments, such as municipalities and provinces: keep giving commissions to artists! Now more than before. We ourselves, as BK Information, will continue to consider how we as a magazine can continue to support visual artists and give them even more of a voice.

During the upcoming BK lecture (on Feb. 4) we will talk with Marilyn Douala Bell, director of doual'art, center d'art contemporaine in Douala, Cameroon. From her we hope to hear how an art world functions in a country where there is hardly any support or appreciation for (the making of) art. What can we learn from her and what must we learn from her? How do artists in Douala manage to keep making art?