Empire of Islands (Eilandenrijk)

A quest for the cultural soul of The Hague

2 December 2007 thru 27 January 2008
Location: Hogewal 1-9
Wednesday thru Sunday 12-5 pm
opening: Saturday 2 December 2007
Curator: Gerrit Jan de Rook


Stroom Den Haag sets out on a quest for the cultural soul of The Hague and presents the city's true atmosphere and character through the eyes of both its well-known and its unsung artistic heroes. The work of various artists is shown in unique combinations, thus throwing special light on the works in question. The art scene of The Hague is often described as a conglomerate of separate entities. Nevertheless this particular artistic constellation has given birth to various important artists. Some of them are deservedly well-known, some of them most certainly deserve wider recognition. Together they form an Empire of Islands.

In order to emphasize the versatility of the artworld in The Hague, the exhibition features 8 ‘rooms', each combining the work of two artists. These ‘couples' are formed by Philip Akkerman (1957) and Jos Smits (1958-2006), Livinus van de Bundt (1909-1979) and Marius Quee (1936), Diederik Gerlach (1956) and Cor Gout (1951), Willem Hussem (1900-1974) and Pieter Ouborg (1893-1956), Marcel van Eeden (1965) and J. van Oudshoorn (1876-1951). In addition works of two important art collectors from The Hague - the architects J.W.E. Buijs (1889-1961) and Sjoerd Schamhart (1919-2007) - are shown side by side. The leading gallery Orez Mobiel (1970-1980s) is contrasted with the paintings of Jan Goeting (1918-1984), and the contemporary artist initiative Maldoror is presented alongside exponents of the radical left movement from the period 1965-1975.
The exhibition is curated by Gerrit Jan de Rook.

Empire of islands: Philip Akkerman
photo: Rob Kollaard
Empire of islands: collection Sjoerd Schamhart
photo: Rob Kollaard
Empire of Islands: Marcel van Eeden
photo: Rob Kollaard
Empire of Islands: The Hague Underground 1965-1975
photo: Rob Kollaard
Empire of Islands: collection Cor Gout
photo: Rob Kollaard
Empire of Islands: collection Cor Gout
photo: Rob Kollaard
Empire of Islands: Stichting Maldoror
photo: Rob Kollaard
Empire of Islands: collection J.W.E. Buijs
photo: Rob Kollaard
Empire of Islands: Diederik Gerlach and Cor Gout
photo: Rob Kollaard
Publication 'Den Haag Ontijdelijk', tekening Diederik Gerlach
photo: Peter Slabbers