During his initial projects, Jurriaan Cooiman, the initiator
and founder of CULTURESCAPES, already tried to find possible answers to the
question of how a work gains its expressive significance. The objective was to
present works and their artists within the context of their personal
relationships and interests. Commissioned pieces of music by young artists
helped to illustrate this context.
The focus increasingly shifted to interdependencies between
historical, social and political issues as well as new dawns in the specific region.
The conflict and energy fields of such "cultural landscapes" allow artistic
activity as well as its language and form of expression to develop.
The extension of this perspective to the contemporary
artistic creativity of a country in relation to the profound dynamics of its "cultural
landscape" was the reason for the foundation of CULTURESCAPES. Making these "cultural
landscapes" visible and accessible to a wider audience became the guiding
principle for the growth and philosophy of CULTURESCAPES.
CULTURESCAPES is not just a name, but also a programme:
once a year it opens up dialogue-oriented access to the artistic landscape of a
country and to the historical, social and political fields of power reflected
in the produced art.
CULTURESCAPES sees itself as the driving and inspiring
force behind an event which allows people to encounter little-known
contemporary art scenes from other countries in an open and thoughtful manner. CULTURESCAPES'
annual festival generates the required environment to ensure that the multifaceted
forms of expression and interactions between the cultural, historical and political
fields of power in such "cultural landscapes" become accessible and tangible.
CULTURESCAPES organises a festival of nationwide interest,
presenting the current artistic climate in the "cultural landscape" of a region
or country to a receptive audience. A closer look at the often contradictory and
incoherent contours of this "cultural landscape" promotes dialogue about the effects
of these areas of conflict that generate the expressiveness and vibrancy of its
cultural creativity.
CULTURESCAPES relies on
three sources for the diversity of its programme: intensive research and
preparation in the actual countries, excellent cooperation with artists and key
cultural-political organisations in the respective region - and the ideological
and practical support and participation of a number of highly committed cooperation
partners throughout Switzerland (cultural policy and cultural funding, artists,
organisers, sponsors) and in neighbouring countries.
