(2022-2024)
What if we could rebuild lost space from memory? Wish I Were Here is a community storytelling project that explores the emotions around the growing housing crisis. The project memorialises spaces that have been lost or removed due to the increasing homogenisation of living and architectural standards. With a particular focus on the disappearing alternative ways of living – like squatting, social housing and free spaces – this project aims to add onto the standard archival photos, text and films that tend to objectify homes in terms of materials and economics. This project seeks a way to create an archive of memories, emotions and experiences that are transmitted from one body to another. Through a methodology of participatory theatre Thyrza Coenraad demonstrates how storytelling can rebuild space from collective memory, allowing both the storyteller and the audience to find empowerment by regaining access to a lost space.
Wish I Were Here / Was Ik Maar Hier, akte Twee(bosbuurt)
Bij Zuid. Boijmans Van Beuningen richt het project zich op de gesloopte Tweebosbuurt op Rotterdam Zuid. Fysiek is de Tweebosbuurt niet meer de plek die het ooit was, maar mentaal leeft de wijk nog in geur en kleur. Oud-bewoners van de wijk nemen je mee naar plekken die alleen nog maar bestaan in hun beleving en herbouwen zo met jou de verloren buurt.
Tijdens de zomer presenteert Thyrza de voorstelling in de vorm van een multimediale tentoonstelling met daarin de verhalen van Edwin, Mirjam, Mustapha, Wim en Hamza.
Was Ik Maar Hier is in samenwerking met Zuid. Boijmans Van Beuningen gemaakt. Het project wordt mogelijk gemaakt door Stimuleringsfonds, Iona Stichting, Fleur Groenendijk Foundation en Hendrik Muller Fonds.
Storytellers: Edwin Dobber, Mirjam Dobber, Mustapha Eaisaouiyen, Hamza Oulad Abdelah , Wim R Leewis
Storytelling coaching, set design, visuals: Thyrza Coenraad
Production: Stijn Kemper and Birgit van Beek from Zuid. Boijmans Van Beuningen
Graphic design + video edit: Juliette Vandermosten
Videography: Merijn van den Nieuwendijk
Photography: Studio Deep
Made possible by: Zuid. Boijmans Van Beuningen, Stimuleringsfonds, Iona Stichting, Fleur Groenendijk Foundation, Hendrik Muller Fonds
Showcases:
03.02.2024 Art Week Rotterdam
02.03.2024 Museumnacht010
20.04.2024 South Explorer
01.05.2024 Gemaal op Zuid
06.06.2024 Opening exhibition
20.07.2024 Finissage exhibition
Wish I Were Here (act 1)
In Act 1 of Wish I Were Here the visitor is invited into the Almondestraat by 3 storytellers. In 2019 City in the Making provided a free space in the North of Rotterdam: Pension Almonde. This experiment in 53 to-be-demolished houses became a temporary home for modern city nomads, adventurous boarders and orphaned neighbourhood initiatives. It grew into this open and loving community where everything was possible. In April 2021 the inhabitants needed to leave as the street was about to be demolished. Yet as of now the abandoned buildings are still there, but the street stands empty and broken. Physically, this street is no longer what it used to be, but mentally it is still alive. In Wish I Were Here you get a chance to wander through the street as it is in the memory of Bryan, Brooklyn and Jaleesa and be part of this community if even for a moment.
Act 1, Almondestraat, is in collaboration with the community of Stad in de Maak.
Storytellers: Bryan Keehnen, Brooklyn Keehnen, Jaleesa den Haan
Storytelling coaching, set design, visuals, artistic research: Thyrza Coenraad
Photos: Merijn van den Nieuwendijk, Thyrza Coenraad, Chiara Catalini
Videography: Merijn van den Nieuwendijk
Video edit: Thyrza Coenraad
Act 1 was part of a MA graduation project Social Design at the Design Academy Eindhoven.
Special thanks to Marina Otero and Nadine Botha.
