Opening: My Name is Spinoza

Opening of the Art Manifestation in Amsterdam

8 May 2009
8 May 2009

On 8 May 2009 at 16.00 hrs. began the art manifestation My name is Spinoza. The manifestation offers a platform for artists, arts organisations and the public and finds out whether the ideas of the influential philosopher Baruch de Spinoza have, after 400 years, stood the test of time.

The opening took place in Mediamatic Bank. From 16.00 hrs. presentations by Theo Tegelaers (SKOR), Prof. mr. E.J. Dommering (Stichting Spinoza Centrum), Willem Velthoven, Alderwomen Carolien Gehrels, and from 17:00 hrs a performance by Natalia Dominguez Rangel and music by DJ The Snail.

The website watspinoza.nl was also launched this afternoon. Here visitors can directly respond to the WatSpinoza? questions that Mediamatic spread throughout the city.

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Opening My Name is Spinoza at Mediamatic BANK - De opening van de My Name is Spinoza manifestatie bij Mediamatic. Alice Bodanzky

Baruch de Spinoza was born in Amsterdam in 1632. His revolutionary ideas about God and religion, good and evil, reason and emotion, form the pillars of such core values as tolerance, respect and freedom of speech.

By presenting exhibitions, performances, interventions and talk shows, the manifestation brings the philosopher a monumental homage in the form of an art event. Spinoza has an inquisitive and investigative attitude which ties in well with art and in which artists recognise themselves. In association with various cultural organisations, (international) artists were invited to develop projects that challenge the public and put it to the test. The public domain has been deliberately sought out as a place for dialogue and discussion.

See the complete programme: www.spinozamanifestatie.nl

The manifestation My name is Spinoza is an initiative of the Amsterdam Spinoza Circle, concept and organisation by SKOR (Foundation Art and Public Space), in collaboration with Foundation Spinoza Centre Amsterdam.