Residency at the Watersnoodmuseum

Art is one of the ways we tell the story of the 1953 Flood Disaster and the power of water. For a few months, various artists collaborate with us to achieve this. They draw their inspiration from science, the environment, and history.

2023-2024: Living with water

In 2023 and 2024, the first artists started working at the Watersnoodmuseum. How do they view the Flood Disaster and the rising sea levels today? And how do they translate this into art?

Curator Gino Anthonisse selected 9 artists to work on the theme of 'living with water'. These artists were chosen not only from the Netherlands but also from Bonaire.

About the artists

Willem de Haan:"During my 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 where rapid ecological changes are happening. Perhaps some situations and solutions, which now seem absurd or exaggerated, will become part of our everyday reality in ten years' time."

Bart Schalekamp:"In this residency, I see an opportunity to work with movement and chaos. Taming chaos and turning it into a poetic image is the driving force behind much of my work. Water embodies both pure chaos and calm. I find it fascinating how we live with these two extremes in our country. How calm water leads to growth, and how we fight chaos with massive mechanical installations."

Maartje Korstanje:"During my time at the Watersnoodmuseum, I am researching organisms and habitats both underwater and along the coastline. My focus is on observing changes that occur as a result of climate change, extreme weather conditions, migration, invasive species, and other factors. I will create a visual representation of these observations in clay."

Suzette Bousema: "During my residency at the Watersnoodmuseum, I want to explore 'Stratospheric Aerosol Injection', a form of geoengineering where artificial clouds are created in the stratosphere to reflect the sun and cool the Earth. It is something that is currently only being researched, but could become a reality in the future if we fail to meet climate goals. Through my art, I aim to make these elusive topics visible and spark wonder about scientific research."

Lisa Sebestikova:"During my residency at the Watersnoodmuseum, I will dive into the history of the 1953 Flood Disaster and the creation of the museum. I will engage in discussions with historians and reflect on the impact of the disaster. At the same time, I will study the continuous movement of matter, both sand and water, and our influence on it. With these elements, I will create a spatial interpretation."

Bert Villa: "During my residency at the Watersnoodmuseum, I want to develop a work that explores the different ways water crosses our landscape, often unseen. In our landscape, we find both visible and hidden structures related to water management. During my residency, I will investigate, document, and incorporate these archetypes into an artistic intervention."

In the 4th quarter, 3 artists from Bonaire will begin working in the residency at the Watersnoodmuseum:

Ghislaine Monte: "During my residency, I want to explore the impact of human activities on the mangroves, the southern part of Bonaire, and the broader ecological systems in the area. Through my art, I aim to investigate whether it is possible for the people of Bonaire to preserve their authentic character in the face of the changes coming our way. How can Bonaire, especially the southern part that is most at risk of flooding, address these challenges from a transition management perspective?"

Dillon Rannou: "During my residency at the Watersnoodmuseum, I want to show people the impact of rising sea levels on Bonaire, in a serious yet colorful way. Hopefully, we will all learn something new along the way."

Marieke Knol: "It feels as though the world we live in is trapped in situations of inequality, social power dynamics, and traces of colonialism. During my residency at the Watersnoodmuseum, I want to explore the underlying emotions and tensions surrounding climate issues. How do we relate to nature and to each other, both in the Netherlands and in Bonaire? I aim to invite reflection on the complex social and historical dynamics that shape our world."