Kunstfort bij Vijfhuizen

Zoöp since: 2023 | Location: Haarlemmermeer, NL | Speaker for the Living: Bonnie Chopard
Kunstfort bij Vijfhuizen is a heritage site and platform for contemporary art, operating at the intersection of military heritage, ecology and artistic experiment. Within the constraints of heritage regulations, they continually seek new ways to care thoughtfully for the site and to welcome more life there step by step.

 
Highlights

Highlights of the goals Kunstfort bij Vijfhuizen is working towards as a Zoöp:

  • A living biodiversity site around the fort 
    Active work is being done on and around the Kunstfort to increase biodiversity, including on a field of approximately 950 m² near the fort. New shrubs and flowering plants are being planted and sections of grass are being removed to make room for more variety. Food and shelter spots are being created for bees, butterflies, birds and other small animals. A living landscape is gradually growing in which more and more species feel at home.

  • Raising awareness and giving meaning to the place
    Visitors, artists, volunteers and staff are introduced to the Zoöp philosophy. They reflect on what their actions mean for all life on and around the Kunstfort. When making plans or creating artworks, the impact on both people and nature is always considered, and advice is sought from the "Speaker for the Living" where needed.

  • Making the Zoöp visible in communications and stories 
    The organisation's Zoöp identity is actively shared through exhibitions, events, social media and education. This grows awareness among visitors and users of what it means to share a place with other forms of life.

  • Documenting and embedding working methods 
    The Zoöp way of working is becoming increasingly embedded in policy and agreements – from guidelines in contracts and collaboration with freelancers to formal "Zoöp conditions" that help make decisions consistently.
Kunstfort bij Vijfhuizen, image: Patricia de Ruijter, mediakaal.nl

Cross pollinations

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For more information, visit the website of Zoöp Kunstfort bij Vijfhuizen