Water Awareness

Willem de Haan: “During the residency at the Watersnoodmuseum, I want to explore how the Zeeland landscape will visibly change in the coming years due to rising sea levels. Physical adjustments in our environment will be necessary to live in a world experiencing rapid ecological changes. Perhaps certain situations and solutions that seem quite absurd or exaggerated now will become part of our everyday reality in a decade.”

Bart Schalekamp: “In this residency, I see an opportunity to work with movement and chaos. The drive behind much of my work is to tame chaos and transform it into a poetic image. Water embodies both pure chaos and calm. I find it fascinating how we coexist with these two extremes in our country—how tranquil water fosters growth while we combat chaos with massive mechanical installations.”

Maartje Korstanje: “During my residency at the Watersnoodmuseum, I will be researching organisms and habitats both underwater and along the coastline. My focus will be on observing changes resulting from climate change and extreme weather conditions, migration, invasive species, and other factors. I will translate these observations into visual forms using clay.”

Suzette Bousema: “During my residency at the Watersnoodmuseum, I plan to delve into ‘Stratospheric Aerosol Injection,’ a form of geoengineering where artificial clouds are created in the stratosphere to reflect sunlight and cool the Earth. Although this is currently only being researched, it could become a reality if we fail to meet our climate targets. Through my art, I aim to make such elusive topics visible and spark curiosity about scientific research.”

Lisa Sebestikova: “During my residency at the Watersnoodmuseum, I will delve into the history of the 1953 Watersnoodramp and the museum’s inception. I will engage with historians to fully grasp the impact of the flood. At the same time, I will study the continuous movement of materials, including sand and water, and our influence on these processes. Using these elements, I will create a spatial representation.”

Bert Villa: “During my residency at the Watersnoodmuseum, I aim to develop a work that explores the various ways water invisibly traverses our landscape. Our environment features both visible and hidden structures related to water management. I will investigate, document, and incorporate these archetypes into an artistic intervention during my residency.”

Ghislaine Monte: “During my residency, I aim to explore the impact of human activities on mangroves, the southern part of Bonaire, and the broader ecological systems in the area. Through my art, I will investigate whether it is possible for Bonairians to preserve their authentic character amidst the forthcoming changes. How can Bonaire, especially the southern part most at risk of submersion, address these challenges from a perspective of transition studies?”

Dillon Rannou: “During my residency at the Watersnoodmuseum, I intend to showcase the impact of rising sea levels on Bonaire, presenting it in a serious yet vibrant manner. I hope this will provide new insights for everyone involved.”

Marieke Knol: “It feels as though the world we live in is entrenched in issues of inequality, social power dynamics, and traces of colonialism. During my residency at the Watersnoodmuseum, I will seek to uncover underlying emotions and tensions surrounding climate issues. I want to reflect on how we relate to nature and to each other, both in the Netherlands and in Bonaire, and encourage reflection on the complex social and historical dynamics that shape our world.”