ARTZUID is an open air sculpture biennial in Amsterdam's Southern district in The Netherlands. The initiative came from United Art Consult led by Cintha van Heeswijck. She aims to stimulate art-related private-public initiatives to enhance the social cohesion in society. The free accessible exhibition was first held in 2009 and was called 'Berlage in Sculptures'. The curator was Michiel Romeyn. His choice of art was based on the history of the neighbourhood. Antoine Poncet, at that time president of de l'Académie française, opened the exhibition. It was supported by international galleries, the Rijksakademie, Dutch company collections, artists and museums like the Stedelijk Museum. The event attracted 90,000 visitors.
Contents
The second edition of ARTZUID was called 'The World Around - Equality in Diversity' and opened by Queen Beatrix. Curator Jan Cremer, a leading writer and artist, mixed European sculptures with works by artists from Brazil, Surinam, India, Ghana, China, Indonesia, the United States, and more to reflect the mixed population of Amsterdam. Artists from 21 countries participated with fifty-eight sculptures from various artists like Anthony Caro, Jean Tinguely, Anthony Gormley, Marcel Pinas, Salvador Dalí, Ryas Komu, Lu Shengzhong, Eko Prawoto, Thomas Houseago, Jaume Plensa, Atelier van Lieshout, Subodh Gupta, Yayoi Kusama, Jean Dubuffet, Rodin, Dennis Oppenheim, Ugo Rondinone, Joost Conijn etc.
Prize
ARTZUID draws more attention to the so-called urban design Plan-Zuid of architect H. P. Berlage, by organizing an exhibition of sculptures. It was received very well in the neighbourhood and the rest of Amsterdam. For schoolchildren, there's a special education program which includes questions about every statue, its material, shape, etc. In this light, Foundation ArtZuid won the prestigious 'Europa Nostra Award' in 2011. [1] Amongst other thing, ARTZUID was mainly selected because it made a hidden cultural heritage site known to a broad public. Also rewarded was the original way to exhibit pieces of art and at the same time draw attention to Berlage's city planning, which includes the Amsterdam School architecture.
Press
Some examples of Art Zuid in the Dutch media: