A large banner on the facade of the Grand Theater in Groningen with the text ‘free soup’ attracts curious looks. Free soup? Also for me? Artist duo Matty and Ed make meals for everyone throughout the month of October. “It says a lot about our society that we are suspicious of something that is free.”
In the small space at the top of the Grand Theater on the Grote Markt in Groningen, things quickly become crowded. People sit at the closely spaced tables, spooning soup from large bowls. There are people over 50, Grand Theater employees, volunteers and teenagers and students who happened to walk past the theater and went in out of curiosity.
Soup to draw attention to problems
What’s going on? Tuesday evening is the first evening of the art installation the Soupshow by artist duo Matty Vroegop and Ed Schoonveld. During the entire month of October, they serve free soup for everyone every Tuesday to Friday from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM. They want to draw attention to a whole range of social issues such as sustainability, plant-based eating, animal suffering, basic income, rising poverty and equality.
“With our art installation we want to encourage a discussion about the unconditional provision of basic needs,” says Schoonveld. “Everyone should have access to things like nutritious food and a good home. As far as we are concerned, the best way to achieve this is through an unconditional basic income for everyone.”
“We live in a messy society,” he continues. “At least one million people in the Netherlands live below the poverty line, we cannot accept that, can we? It is high time that we take to the streets against injustice. This installation is our failed attempt to participate in the discussion.”
Why flawed? “We are artists, not policy makers. Socially involved artists, that is. This is within our capabilities. We can pull the wool over the eyes of administrators.”
‘A bit uncomfortable’
According to the artists, the diners – there is soup for sixty people every evening – are part of the work of art. John van Gemert (74) from Eelde is sitting at the table with two volunteers involved in the project. “I just had a billiards course and happened to walk by. I found it a bit uncomfortable because I didn’t know if this was meant for me. But I was too curious not to go inside. And I’m going to the movies soon, so I have to eat something.”
He listens with interest to the story of volunteers Edith Snijders (67) and Jan Tuitman (51). He did not yet realize that the artists were drawing attention to basic income and poverty. “This shows how little effort and money it takes to bring people together and help them eat healthy,” says Snijders. “We made the soup with someone who knows about nutrients. A bowl is worth about one euro, so it is affordable for everyone.” Tuesday evening minestrone soup and Indian red lentil soup are on the menu .
Reaching poorer neighborhoods
Wouldn’t this have been better to take place in a neighborhood with more poor people, such as Beijum or Leeuwenborg, rather than in the center? “Maybe, but we have done our very best to advertise in all those neighborhoods in recent months. There are posters hanging in the food bank, at libraries, and swimming pools. They should be able to find it. And we are thinking about whether we can organize the same at another location afterwards.”
Everything is paid for with the help of ‘friends of the project’, such as a party center and the Arts Council. Baker Bart delivers bread every evening to dip in the soup. In addition to the food, Vroegop and Schooneveld have arranged speakers and discussions, including with Groningen councilors, the director of the Food Bank and the vice-chairman of the national association for basic income.
Too busy, too long line
A group of three young men, about 20 years old, enter, take a look at the soup and leave. One of them – hair combed back and wearing a neat blouse – is disappointed. “I was just really craving soup.” Fifteen minutes later he returns alone. He could easily join the alternatively dressed Jan Franken (19) and Annelinde Hovenkamp (16). They also happen to be passers-by. “I think this is a really good initiative, I am a big supporter of basic income. That ensures much more equal opportunities,” says Franken.
Two young women come up the stairs carrying bags from clothing stores New Yorker and Zara. “How nice!” one of them coos. “The Soup Show!” But in the end they are too busy, the line for the soup is too long. Too bad for them, but good for Vroegop and Schooneveld.