Katja Sokolova

Carry each other

Grandeur in Arnhem

Sonsbeek takes place only once in 7 years. This is even less often than Documenta (although more often than the sculpture project in Muenster). It was clear to us that the whole Dutch art world is going to be there. 5 days before the official opening there is a procession during which the artworks are carried through the streets of Arnhem by its citizens, for the art world to watch. Kompromat simply couldn't miss it.

People of Arnhem carrying artwork by Ana Maria Tavares. - Andrei Tchernikov

Met:

The procession looks like a wedding and a funeral at the same time.

Elegantly dressed people slowly marching through the streets.

No individuals, only groups. A medieval painting feeling.

Same outfits, same facial expressions.

Carrying different artworks.

The first thing that looks like a work of art is the table in the spacious Arnhem Town Hall. - In the beginning, nobody dares to touch the food.-KS Andrei Tchernikov

Also in close-up, the food looks quite spectacular. - Almost not like food.

What's this yellow substance in those glasses, kido? - I can't believe my eyes! Could you say it again? Andrei Tchernikov

Secret agent Sokolova is not quite awake yet. Trying to keep her eyes wide open... - Drinking was her hobby before. Now it's definitely part of the job. Especially at this early hour.

Met: Katja Sokolova

Even cola is served in wine glasses here. -

Outside of the Town Hall, the citizens of Arnhem are waiting impatiently for the procession to start. -

A horse... - Dutch women are almost as strong as Russian.-KS At this point, we have to admit that Dutch women are as strong as Russian. Almost... Andrei Tchernikov

A real tree... - Are they going to plant it back where it was? Where are they going to plant it? Probably return to the place where it was before...

This guy looks a lot like a lazy artist. - Making use of public money and muscles. Andrei Tchernikov

A giant casino roulette that looks like a wheel of fortune... -

Met:

And here is the main entertainment factor of the parade (no, not the secret agent)- the elephant. - They made him play weird tricks all day... They made the poor beast play weird tricks at the Church Square all day. Hmmm... But to hell with animal rights. The secret agent needs to concentrate on her assignment. Andrei Tchernikov

Met: Katja Sokolova

The tribune next to ours has the highest concentration of VIPs in the Netherlands at this moment. - But how to distinguish them from here?-KS But how to distinguish them from here? We see Anna Tilroe in the middle of the scene. She is moving westwards when all audience are looking east. Already moving to the next station. Andrei Tchernikov

Met: Anna Tilroe

As the curator of Sonsbeek 08, Anna did a very good job. -

Met: Anna Tilroe

Anna's boyfriend, writer and the Dutch Art Critic Cornel Bierens keeps explaining that to everyone. - Or maybe Or maybe he's criticizing the situation in the arts today? Cornel likes to stir things up in papers.

Met: Anna Tilroe

The mayor of Arnhem Pauline Krikke is happy with Sonsbeek 08 too. - Luckily! Luckily! These Dutch right wing politicians would be considered liberals elsewhere. That's why the Dutch right wing party calls itself liberal. Andrei Tchernikov

Met:

However, it's not the procession that is making Pauline so happy. - It's her smart companion who keeps entertaining her all afternoon. With the great help of our controls, we managed to find out that this is a local star, choreographer Roel Voorintholt. Considering his background, we must assume that this is nothing more than friendship.-KS Andrei Tchernikov

Met:

Artist Serge Onnen is eager to talk about his work. - Especially when he's talking to Stijn Huijts, the former het Domein director and the current director of the Glaspaleis in Heerlen. No wonder Serge is having a show at both places this summer.

Met: Glaspaleis

At the Church square, we notice some fashionable people -

As well as not very fashionable (but very productive and succesful) people - Artist Hans van Houwelingen

Met: Hans van Houwelingen

And some extremely fashionable people. - We don't dare to guess who that is. Kompromat doesn't even dare to guess who that might be.

Looking around, we see beautiful artists. - Eylem Aladogan Who would disagree Eylem Aladogan is a beauty?

Met: Eylem Aladogan

Charming art historians. - Patricia Pulles- a Boijmans van Beuningen curator and Anna Tilroe's assistant at Sonsbeek Actually, Patricia Pulles looks quite tired. It must be difficult to combine her job at Museum Boijmans van Beuningen with the assistant position at Sonsbeek. Andrei Tchernikov

Met: Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

Vikings from Sweden - Dressed and Made-up for the procession.

and their supporters - Also taking part in the procession They are the ones having the most fun this afternoon.

In spite of Anna Tilroe's firing speeches - The party at the Church square was finished soon. Maybe because of the music...

Met: Anna Tilroe