Research and Art projects
A selection of curated research and art projects. For current collaborations, research and art projects go to beyondwallscollective.com
Research of the colonial and slavery past of Eindhoven
Beyond Walls Collective was invited to conduct a research of the colonial and slavery past of the city of Eindhoven. Suzanne led the research project and was also one of the researchers and authors. Click here to read more.
HERITAGE IN MOTION.
HERITAGE IN MOTION is a public program series by Beyond Walls on colonial heritage, representation, diaspora perspectives and policy in the Netherlands and across borders. October 31 was the first edition in collaboration with OBA Amsterdam with a focus on indigenous perspectives & knowledge, decoloniality, institutional responsibilities and more..
With an introduction by Imara Limon conservator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Amsterdam Museum, curator, programmer & artist Richard Kofi in conversation with three participants of the docufilm DIASPORA: Amanda Pinatih, Curator Design Stedelijk, Yopi Abraham, artist & founder Awareness Moluccan Identity and Raki Ap, educator & activist. Also a multisensory performance by spoken work artist & poet Robin Block and visual storyteller Jeremy Flohr. Read more.
MANUAL FOR THE DISPLACED.
MANUAL FOR THE DISPLACED is a multidisciplinary performance project by spoken word artist Robin Block and visual storyteller Jeremy Flohr, curated by Beyond Walls. Together, and with people of various backgrounds, they explore the question 'what does it take for me to feel at home?'
Taking inspiration from the shared history of the Netherlands and Indonesia, this performance unravels a more universal story around this question. What's the impact of war, diaspora and personal stories of resilience? How to develop a sense of identity and belonging in between flags, labels and countries? MANUAL FOR THE DISPLACED gives words, sounds, movement and images to these questions. Read more.
BLINDE VLEKKEN.
Blinde Vlekken (Blind Spots) is an interactive public program series about representation of colonial heritage in museums. How is the colonial and slavery past visually and textually represented and framed? What perspectives are (un)visible? ‘Blinde Vlekken’ is part of an ongoing process of deconstructing (colonial) frames and stereotypes in museums and ourselves. Blinde Vlekken is a collaboration between Wereldmuseum Rotterdam and Indies Heritage Center.
Developed and curated by Suzanne Rastovac at the Indies Heritage Center in collaboration with World Museum Rotterdam. read more
GEPEPERD VERLEDEN.
Public program series Gepeperd Verleden ('spiced past') was a multidisciplinary project about the impact and representation of the colonial and slavery past on present day society and diaspora communities. It was a combination of a series of public debates, a nationwide interview project and reflections by scholars, museum professionals and artists. A collaboration between Indies Heritage Center and the following participating cultural and museum parters: Tropenmuseum Amsterdam, Het Scheepvaartmuseum, Museum Volkenkunde, NIOD Institute, Research Center for Material Culture, Mapping Slavery, Moluccan Historical Museum, co-curator and moderator Wim Manuhutu, film maker Armando Ello and research journalist Lara Nuberg.
Gepeperd Verleden is part of the Indies Heritage Center, developed and curated by Suzanne Rastovac.
AUGUST 15 REMEMBRANCE DAY.
On August 15 the victims of the Second World War in the Pacific and South East Asia are commemorated. In the Netherlands this national day is organized by the August 15 National Commemoration in collaboration with The National Committee for 4 and 5 May and the national broadcasting network NOS.
With the aim to keep this history alive for young generations Suzanne curates the artistic programming that contains of a public program, Talks, artist reflections, visual storytelling, media campaigns and pop-up exhibitions.
How do generations now connect to their own stories? What does 15 august mean to them? The artistic programming reflects their voices in the form of critical reflections, arts and (visual) storytelling.
“What does Papua mean to me?” Jazz musician and composer Robinson Jouwe, grandson of the famous Papuan leader Nicolaas Jouwe, shares his sense of identity. This moving portrait was part of the artistic program in 2019. See more.
HUIZEN VAN AANKOMST.
Huizen van Aankomst (Homes of Arrival) is a public participation project where global history is connected to local (hi)stories. After the Second World War in the Pacific over 350.000 people moved from the former colony Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, to The Netherlands where they found a new home or migrated to other parts of the world, like Canada, Surinam, the US, South Africa and Brazil. How was it to leave ones home towards a new destination? Which stories migrated with them? What stories are hidden in all the houses, hotels, pensions, monasteries and castles people temporarily lived in? Huizen van Aankomst is about colonial heritage, personal stories, migration and belonging.
In 2020 a selection of these ‘homes’ are transformed into public spaces where personal stories, global and local histories are shared and reflected upon. In the form of public programs, readings and artist reflections people connect to these stories. Huizen van Aankomst is a project of the Indies Heritage Center (curator and project leader until June 2020). Read more.
