Bureau for Contemporary Adventure
Part of The Hague Sculpture 2007
Erik Jutten en Ramon Ottenhof

"Exchange generates affection, reflection, development and innovation of yourself. Who are we, what is the meaning of our being, what do we want and how do you get it. The meeting with   'the other' is an important factor in all this."

The Bureau for Contemporary Adventure explores the forms and strategies on which contemporary art works with the given of social interaction, in this case between people on and around the Lange Voorhout in The Hague during The Hague Sculpture 2007. What forms of   exchange are there and what is their meaning? To what extent can artists have an active role in this?

During an adventure, everything is on the edge; you create new roads, find yourself in exceptional situations and meet new people. The Bureau has challenged artists to execute an adventure in which the meeting and direct exchange with the other occupies a central position. The project takes place in the public domain of the urban centre. This domain is extremely suitable for our project, as here contact is possible with a wide range of people and situations.

Since the nineties, an increasing number of artists are carrying out interventions in the public space and entering into direct interaction with their public. Within this development, various gradations of artists can be distinguished, ranging from those with "good intentions" to agitators. The initiators see the project in the Hague city centre as an opportunity to provide space for reflection, innovation and a debate on this phenomenon.

From 15 June to 5 August, a programme of 30 projects will take place in and from within the Bureau for Contemporary Adventure. The Bureau is situated on the Lange Voorhout between the sculptures of The Hague Sculpture. Here, discussions will take place, evaluations will be made, people will meet up and the energy of the project will be made visible.

Participating Artists: Adriaan Nette, Anique Weve, Bart Groenewegen, Carina Diepens, Dit is Dit, Eric von Robertson, Esther Tamboer, Guda Koster, Jonas Staal, Kirsten Leenaars, Karolina Spaic & Snezana Golubovic, Krijnie Beyen / Tine Munk / Pauline Cummins, Kunst Uitschot Team, Liesje Diemont, Marius Lut, Iede Reckman and Marchel Ruigrok, Marjan Schoenmakers, Matthijs Bosman, Maurice Bogaert and Mathijs Lieshout, Oscar Prinsen, Refunc, Regina Kranendonk, Sis Josip, Sjaak Langenberg, Ties ten Bosch, Toine Klaassen, UpperFloor, Urs Pfannenmüller, Ursula Pahnke-Felder, Wapke Feenstra and Yvette Teeuwen.