The Hague, 14 September 2022
From the Sea to the Clouds to the Soil
Opening: Saturday 1 October – 17hrs, with opening speech and performance
group exhibition
1 October - 18 December 2022
Location: Stroom Den Haag, Hogewal 1-9, The Hague (NL)
film still 'Garden Amidst the Flame', Natasha Tontey (courtesy the artist) |
From October 1st, Stroom presents From the Sea to the Clouds to the Soil. The group exhibition presents works full poetic perspectives that make us (more) aware of the symbiotic relationship between humans, technology and nature. The five participating artists offer new imaginations to experience our relationship with landscape, technology and climate; from the sea, to the clouds, to the soil.
The intricate connection between all forms of life, elements, bacteria and atmosphere is ever-present, yet remains largely unnoticed. For this reason, From the Sea to the Clouds to the Soil calls for the experience of 'existential kinship': the urgent awareness of connectedness between all forms of life and ecological processes – which is necessary for the survival of our planet. With the increasing disruption of ecological balance on Earth, visualizing this interconnectedness is truly important. The exhibition brings together contemporary artists who explore this close relationship with the natural environment.
By imagining a shared future, artists Risk Hazekamp + Scape Agency (Netherlands), Femke Herregraven (Netherlands), Urok Shirhan (Iraq/Netherlands), Yeon Sung (South Korea) and Natasha Tontey (Indonesia) seek another window to confront the urgency of climate change; by inviting visitors not just to look and listen, but to actually open up to other forms of life and to feel the connection with them.
The city of The Hague offers an interesting setting to explore these questions of entanglement and connection. The Dutch city of 'peace and justice' and the government seat emphasizes the connection between country and state. Situated along the liminal boundaries of the (rising) sea, where do politics end and geography start? By showing these works, Stroom invites us to think differently about the role that technology, breathing, rituals, bacteria and types of soil can play in the ecosystem of the urban environment. To look at the world around us from a different perspective: from the sea, the clouds and the soil.
Extra activities
A side program will be organized during the exhibition, exploring current questions about climate, symbiosis and kinship in the context of The Hague.
After last year's success, Stroom will present a video program during 'Museumnacht' (Saturday, October 8) featuring work by new artists and makers from The Hague. This special film program consists of video works by students and recent graduates of The Royal Academy of Art The Hague, addressing the symbiotic connection with nature and the role of technology in this. See
stroom.nl for more info.
'From the Sea to the Clouds to the Soil' is made possible by Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie and the Gemeente Den Haag. Natasha Tontey's work is co-commissioned by Auto Italia in London, in partnership with La Becque, Tour-de-Peilz, and Shedhalle, Zurich.
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Note to the editor, not for publication:
For interviews, images and/or other questions, please contact: Christie Bakker, communications officer, T: +31 (0)70-3658985 E:
cbakker@stroom.nl.
