“I am a tool of gentrification” is an experimental documentary series in which I aim to explore complex shifts in the gentrification process. What is the role of the artist in this process? How we can make use of the current situation and turn it into a positive development for the arts and artists?

The project aims to function as a series of speculative propositions on the subject of how to make gentrification work for Amsterdam-based artists and art, which will primarily open up through interviews and discussions. The films will also include artistic performances, carpets and masks as a representation of my personal feelings about the gentrification process and as a metaphor for this situation.

Experimental documentary series will consist of five episodes in total. Each upcoming episode will consist of several layers: documentary interviews, architectural cityscapes, artistic performances and a special carpet. I plan to look at the gentrification process from different angles: Temporary artist-run spaces, Broedplaats, Suburbs and Money. These topics will be unpacked in each respective episode and the specific areas of the city they each explore, as well as through my artistic metaphors.

To realise this complex project I will collaborate with other artists: composers, animation artists, contemporary dancers, performers, skaters and scientists. For each episode, I will find a specific metaphor that will represent gentrification in a particular area.

Episode One: I am a tool of gentrification. Amsterdam City Center.
You can watch this episode here -https://vimeo.com/292780347

Episode Two: I am a tool of gentrification. Amsterdam Noord.
You can watch this episode here - https://vimeo.com/322775324

Episode Three: I m a tool of gentrification. Amsterdam West

This episode will focus on the problems of Broedpaatses and living communities. Is Broedplaats really working? How do artists feel there? How does the overexposure and over-advertising of the Kinkerbuurt area push housing prices up and what does this do to old living communities such as WG terrain and Tetterode?

This episode is commissioned by TAAK and LIMA and part of Social Capital project. Within this project, artists are being invited to critically reflect on the rapidly changing city and to negotiate new relationships between art, local networks and heritage.

Episode Four: I am a tool of gentrification. Amsterdam Bijlmer

Amsterdam Bijlmer is a very interesting area, a place where gentrification is happening quickly. New hotels and art residencies, nice coffee places and breweries are popping up. Bijlmer used to be an area that many avoided, famous for its crimes and diverse immigrant community, but everything is changing and now the Bijlmer has both a Tesla office and its first coffeeshop. It is now an area for young families to buy homes, which has contributed to the scheduled demolition of old social housing to make room for new high-rise buildings. How is it changing and where will it go?

Episode Five: I am a tool of gentrification. Amsterdam Oost & Zuid

The Amsterdam Oost and Zuid areas will be combined in one episode. I will work with the narrative of business in the area, which takes the form of business centers and office buildings, areas for only expats and corporate workers. How do areas change? Is there any space for art to remain or will the corporate buildings and cafes take over?

This episode is the last of the series and in it, I would like to raise questions of money and labor in the art world. We are living in a capitalist economy and everyone should be paid for their work, but somehow artists are consistently unpaid because they are supposedly doing what they love, with the logic that this contentment should be payment enough. Artists are not considered highly skilled professionals, even they often have a few master’s degrees and years of experience. As a result, artists represent a low-income social group and are often used in the gentrification proses. What is the way out of this situation? I would like to interview an economist and discuss this question with him.

I would like to finish the episode with an evaluation of the best suggestions and solutions, which will also be recapped from the previous episodes, thus giving an overview that will conclude the series.

Please support my project so I can realize more episodes!
I believe that this project is very important for Amsterdam and all the people who are living here. Together we can make a change!

Thank you! I am sure will we make it together!