Birgit Verwer

Is er wel tijd voor een generale repetitie? Kunnen we onze planeet met goed fatsoen doorgeven aan de generaties die nog komen? Wanneer je gasten krijgt hoop je dat ze met bepaalde waarden en uitgangspunten met jouw gastvrijheid en je huis omgaan. Als wij onze planeet als gastvrouw of gastheer zien kun je dan zeggen dat je een goede tijdelijke gast bent? Het is aan de huidige gasten om het huis met eer en geweten achter te laten voor de gasten die nog komen. Voor toekomstige generaties moeten we het stuur rechthouden op een leefbare planeet. Maar waar sturen we dan eigenlijk heen? We moeten het wel met z’n allen doen, samen en samenwerkend. Ook al hebben we verschillende perspectieven, soms met de ruggen tegen elkaar, ruggespraak houden, maar wel de schouders eronder. Voorbij je eigen levensspanne - we zijn een stip in de tijd - Voorbij onze als vanzelfsprekend voldane eigen geneugten en behoeften, volgens bedachte normen, dogma’s en waarden. De kunstinstallatie ‘Final Rehearsal’ is geïnspireerd op de laatnegentiende-eeuwse Haagse ‘luizenbanken’, die sinds enkele jaren weer terug te vinden zijn op het Lange Voorhout, recht voor het voormalige koninklijke werkpaleis Lange Voorhout

Making ceramics is a craft and one of the oldest art forms in the world. The first painted and decorated vases from far before our era give us an idea of ​​the daily life of that time. The fact that we have this knowledge is due to the almost indestructible nature of pottery. It may break into shards, but will survive the test of time. It can withstand the elements and the harshest conditions. What if our current pottery turns up at an archaeological site hundreds of years from now? What will future generations learn about us? In the series ‘Irenic’, contemporary personal and social issues are both title and work of art. Irenic: aiming at peace (from the Greek word eirene, peace) My visual art anchored in a century-old craft, with the ‘Irenic’ vazes series of five new artworks. Together with the experts at Cor Unum Ceramics in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, I developed a vase which is inspired on the shape of vase I worked with during my artist-in-residence in China. Only by this collaboration combined with the values with which the people at Cor Unum work, my ‘Irenic’ series of vases could come to be.

Making ceramics is a craft and one of the oldest art forms in the world. The first painted and decorated vases from far before our era give us an idea of ​​the daily life of that time. The fact that we have this knowledge is due to the almost indestructible nature of pottery. It may break into shards, but will survive the test of time. It can withstand the elements and the harshest conditions. What if our current pottery turns up at an archaeological site hundreds of years from now? What will future generations learn about us? In the series ‘Irenic’, contemporary personal and social issues are both title and work of art. Irenic: aiming at peace (from the Greek word eirene, peace) My visual art anchored in a century-old craft, with the ‘Irenic’ vazes series of five new artworks. Together with the experts at Cor Unum Ceramics in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, I developed a vase which is inspired on the shape of vase I worked with during my artist-in-residence in China. Only by this collaboration combined with the values with which the people at Cor Unum work, my ‘Irenic’ series of vases could come to be.

Making ceramics is a craft and one of the oldest art forms in the world. The first painted and decorated vases from far before our era give us an idea of ​​the daily life of that time. The fact that we have this knowledge is due to the almost indestructible nature of pottery. It may break into shards, but will survive the test of time. It can withstand the elements and the harshest conditions. What if our current pottery turns up at an archaeological site hundreds of years from now? What will future generations learn about us? In the series ‘Irenic’, contemporary personal and social issues are both title and work of art. Irenic: aiming at peace (from the Greek word eirene, peace) My visual art anchored in a century-old craft, with the ‘Irenic’ vazes series of five new artworks. Together with the experts at Cor Unum Ceramics in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, I developed a vase which is inspired on the shape of vase I worked with during my artist-in-residence in China. Only by this collaboration combined with the values with which the people at Cor Unum work, my ‘Irenic’ series of vases could come to be.

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Historian David Christian, shows that man is unable to see beyond his own shadow, more or less a time period of some 70 years. Gathered from all possible scientific disciplines, he has proven that no other species on earth has more influence on the state of the earth itself than humans do. Why do we as humanity fail to behave like temporary guests on this planet? There seem to be no unequivocal answers. The signals are there, scientific reports, books, documentaries and natural disasters are everywhere. A radically different approach is necessary globally. With national and global politics aimed at periods of only a few years, thinking across generations remains very difficult and cooperation on a global level is almost a utopia. Gert Holstege, a renowned neuroscientist, taught me that his scientific discipline sees our human brain as a computer. Like any living organism, we are programmed for two things only; preserving the individual and preserving the species. Can we get past our brain’s programming to contain our human impact on the Earth and its fragile balance? From an anthropological angle it is precisely the attitude of immediately coming up with a solution when a problem presents itself. Taking immediate action is often partly responsible for the problem itself. ‘Taking a step back’ can provide a more in-depth insight. But do we still have time for that or should we make time for it? Do we soothe our souls or allow ourselves to think about what is really being asked of us? “Viriditas” is a reminder of the importance of our connection to nature and comes from the Latin words for “GREEN” and “TRUTH”. (Hildegard von Bingen, 12th century AD)