Artwork Data

Title

Fix adem vrij

Artist

David Bade

Year

2011

Material

Kunststof

Artwork Location

Address

Droogscheerdersgaarde 70, Den Haag

City district

Escamp

GPS data

52.038496572094, 4.2698375902824 View on map

Artwork Description

Text

Some artists spend their whole lives in their own studios. You only see their work when they show it in a museum or gallery. Not so David Bade. He seeks out the outside world. Much of his work is literally created in cooperation with others, preferably people who would not normally come into contact with art. On his native island of Curaçao, for example, he founded the Instituto Buena Bista with kindred spirit Tirzo Martha. IBB offers talented artists from Curaçao a thorough creative preparatory training linked to an artist-in-residence programme on the premises of a psychiatric hospital.

Fix adem vrij' started as a percentage assignment 'art in schools', guided by art centre Stroom Den Haag. Parallel to a museum exhibition in the GEM 'Catch of the Day', Bade organised a series of workshops at GEMAK, at the time the exhibition space of the Vrije Academie in the same city. There he built a variety of sculptures with pupils from Hofstede College, students from the KABK and (former) mental health patients who took part in the 'Anders Bekeken' project. Sometimes dragonheads, sometimes minarets. Everyone who wanted to follow the process was welcome. Also to participate.

From all these sculptures and parts, Bade selected a large number from which he built a large total sculpture. The result is typical of Bade: witty, raw and dynamic, with many elements that are recognisable to everyone. By combining things that do not immediately belong together, he makes critical comments on daily life. With Bade, you stumble over all the associations.

Initially, the title of this work was 'Open Air Fitness Honk'. Later, the artist changed it to: Fix Breath Free'. The large, bright green installation now stands in the courtyard of Hofstede College. It is the place for students to chill out and take a breath. And they make good use of it.

 

Close