The artists did not have to know the history of the place by heart, says Bas Kortholt. “It is a process that you all enter together. We started a year ago with workshops about history, art history and with specialists. Based on this, each artist has chosen a subject from his own backpack that takes it with him – emotions and feelings. and made a work.”
Organizing events on and near the former camp site is a sensitive issue. In the past, the Memorial Center was charged with doing too much entertainment. Former director Dirk Mulder was also threatened when he wanted to start the Night of the Refugee at the Remembrance Center to reflect on the camp’s past as refugee camp 8.
The work of Van der Veen-Kerssies therefore raises the question of whether a running event in such a sensitive place is desirable. “I experienced that when I asked around among the participants myself, many people also felt the confrontation just like me, but thought it was good to be aware of our history,” says Van der Veen-Kerssies.
According to Kortholt, that is precisely the intention. The exhibition should leave the judgment to the visitor and make them think. “A running race, do you do that in a place like Camp Westerbork? On the other hand, you see that people become interested in history as a result. That also applies to a feature film.”
Entering into a dialogue is crucial, according to Kortholt. “How do you deal with this place? These are questions that we can not only deal with with our employees, but for which we also need people from outside.”
Director Bertien Minco recognizes that. Still, she says she was shocked by Van der Veen-Kerssies’ painting. “This is exactly the dilemma we are struggling with. It is a public area and we have no control over it. But it is also a place with history and that is difficult to relate to.” As an example, she points to passers-by on bicycles. “Sometimes people don’t want to get off their bikes to reflect on history. Apparently we don’t force that.”
Minco wants to investigate how places such as the former camp site will be designed in the future. This will be part of the renovation plans the museum is working on.
The exhibition Through Drenthe eyes can be seen until January 9, 2023 in the museum of Kamp Westerbork. There you can also read the stories of the other nine artists.