Contact
contact@ivoschmetz.nl
After a collaboration of 20 years, I started fresh in 2023. This time on my own and under my own name. Starting over means redefining who you are and what you do. In my case, that is not so simple, because I enjoy many different things and am actively involved in various roles and activities. I am a graphic designer, but also a video editor, animator, initiator, web documentary maker, interaction designer, activist, writer, music programmer, board member, curator, publisher, and for some time now I have also been giving presentations and workshops. That sounds like a lot and perhaps unbelievable, but this is who I am and what I do.
This multidisciplinary character developed over time because I often take the initiative to set up projects and enjoy experimenting with different media and art forms. Some people see this multidisciplinary approach as unclear and confusing, but I see it primarily as a strength. It is a hybrid form of being a designer in which I connect different genres, activities, media, initiatives, art forms, and activism in order to work toward new perspectives and ideas.
As we all know, the world is not doing very well. There are many crises, conflicts, and divisions. Our society (or societies) are under pressure, and non-human life on Earth is suffering greatly as a result of human actions. I deliberately call it “human action,” because it is abundantly clear that our desires, our runaway consumer society, and our drive for infinite growth and profit maximization are the root causes of many problems. We want more than is possible, and that affects our lives, but especially those of non-human life and future generations.
This awareness plays a major role in defining who I am and what I want to do. I no longer want to work (or contribute) to making products and services more attractive or adding value to things that cause or contribute to the many crises facing humanity and the Earth. I do not want to tell my children and grandchildren one day that I was too cowardly to change, or that I knowingly continued doing something I knew was no longer viable, purely for the money.
I understand that you cannot simply withdraw from this system, and it would be hypocritical to claim that I do everything right. I don’t, and that is impossible anyway. What I do try to do is think carefully about the role my work plays in and for society. I work from a clear, content-driven motivation and try to bring others along in raising awareness and in the transition toward something new.
For that transition, we need a government that is committed to a just society and a healthy planet, rather than one that is narrowly focused on the economy. We need companies that operate within the planetary boundaries and do so in a fair way for everyone. And we need people who organize themselves around the commons and cooperative principles, encouraging governments and businesses to act from intentions that align with our responsibility to leave the Earth in a healthy state. We can do this—and we must.
I want to work for and with people, organizations, governments, and companies whose mission aligns with this intention to do everything possible to make life better, healthier, and fairer for everyone, including non-human life on Earth. It will not happen overnight, but I am convinced that together we can create a new collective vision of the future. A new narrative in which we no longer measure success, freedom, and happiness by how much money and power we have to satisfy all our needs, but by things that truly matter.
How did I get to where I am now?
OLVG
After a fantastic time at the art academy in Maastricht, I moved to Amsterdam in 1997. I started working at a video company and fairly quickly (by coincidence) ended up in the squatting scene. In 1998, I helped squat two wings of the OLVG hospital in Amsterdam East. I used one of the many rooms as a studio and turned another into living space. As a growing group of people made the building increasingly livable, we also began organizing exhibitions and parties.
It was a fairly well-organized happy chaos that I will never forget, but unfortunately, after about a year and a half we were evicted and had to look for a new building.
OT301
A few months after the eviction, on November 14, 1999, the OT301 (the former film academy of Amsterdam) was squatted. Slightly smaller than the hospital, but still a fantastic building with many possibilities to continue the combination of living, working, and public functions that we had started at the OLVG.
In 2006, we succeeded as a collective of artists and creatives in purchasing the building from the municipality and converting it into collective ownership. In this case, collective ownership means that the property always belongs to the association and not to individuals within the collective. No one can sell their share.
The purchase was an important moment for the survival of OT301, but also for me personally. I became increasingly interested and involved in the organizational structure. I became music programmer for our concert/club space and joined the board of the association in 2011.
As a member of the PR & communications committee, I designed many flyers, posters, banners, and the OT301 website. Together with others, I also produced the books Autonomy Through Dissent (2013) and 20 Years of Art & Autonomy (2019).
I am still active at OT301 as a music programmer and board member. Since early 2023, together with a team of volunteers from Amsterdam Alternative, I have also been responsible for the programming of the cinema on the second floor of the building.
3-1
When the software ReBirth RB-338 was released in 1996, I came into contact with making music for the first time. In my student room in Maastricht, I often spent nights experimenting with beats and synths on my computer. I knew little to nothing about making music and worked purely from intuition and feeling. It was a proces of listening, trying, listening, trying... for hours on end, almost in a trance.
In the squatted OLVG hospital in Amsterdam East, music-making became more serious, and together with Peter Rutten I founded the electropunk band 3-1. In the beginning, we made rather abstract, vague, unpredictable noise, but as we learned more, our tracks became more structured and refined. To emphasize the raw character of the music, we bombarded audiences during live performances with homemade videos and an absurdist live show featuring dancers and a kickboxer.
We played as 3-1 until 2010, performing hundreds of live shows at festivals, museums, clubs, and squats in the Netherlands and abroad. After 3-1 ended, I worked with Peter and Paul on a new project called TCS, but due to lack of time we did not continue it for long. In 2016, Peter and I started making music again under the name Van Pi, and later with Lilian Hak under the name LHISPR.
310k
After several self-initiated projects and some VJ performances, Paul Rickus and I officially started the design studio 310k in April 2003. In addition to the usual print assignments of the time — such as posters, flyers, record covers, visual identities (logo, letterhead, business cards), magazines, and books — we had a strongly multidisciplinary approach from the beginning. We especially liked working on projects that combined print with online and video content.
During the twenty years we worked together under the name 310k, we handled a wide range of cultural and commercial commissions. It was a wonderful period in which we learned a lot, realized many of our ambitions, and had a great deal of fun. As we always called it ourselves, 310k was pure magik (with a k). In 2023, after exactly twenty years of collaboration, we decided to stop. Time for something new — a new direction, new goals, and new ambitions. We still share a studio, but now each of us works under our own name.
Basserk
At the end of 2005, Peter Rutten, Paul Rickus, and I decided to release the music of our electropunk band 3-1 on our own record label, Basserk Records. Our first EP, Don’t Destroy, was pressed on vinyl in an edition of 500 copies. To our surprise, all the records sold fairly quickly. Encouraged by this, more releases soon followed.
We started with electropunk and electro, but soon decided to release music in other genres as well — ranging from electro and techno to ambient, bass, future beats, breaks, and more. We did not want to limit ourselves to a single genre, as long as the music was raw and energetic.
Despite some small successes and the potential to make something “big” out of it, Basserk is and remains a “small” label. Unfortunately, we do not have the time or resources to scale it up. Basserk still exists because we love music and enjoy helping young, talented artists find their way.
Abnormal Data Processing
Abnormal Data Processing is a small, independent publishing house that I founded in 2011 to publish self-initiated projects, both independently and in collaboration. As a graphic designer, I have always had a love for books and special print work. The digital world is of course fantastic, with all its multimedia and interactive possibilities and its wide reach, but it lacks the physical element.
The beauty of print lies in the details: the choice of paper, format, binding, printing technique, ink, cover, and, of course, the design. The physical aspect — and even the smell of freshly printed material — still makes “old-fashioned” printing very worthwhile.
Amsterdam Alternative
Amsterdam Alternative emerged in the spring of 2015 as a collective of non-commercial (sub)cultural free spaces in Amsterdam. Our initial goal was to establish a new, supportive network to connect the remaining free spaces in the city and help them when needed.
After several meetings, I proposed — as a graphic designer — the idea of creating a free newspaper together, in which we could share both our programming and background articles to strengthen the voice of the underground.
In addition to the newspaper, we also organize public discussions, documentary and film screenings, the AADE, podcast recordings, and the AA Academy, together with a large group of volunteers. These activities take place at various locations in the city, but since early 2023 mainly at the Ventilator cinema/bar in OT301.
To help realize new free spaces in Amsterdam, we initiated Vrij Beton and later created an extensive modular web documentary on collective ownership. As one of the co-founders, I am still closely involved in Amsterdam Alternative — not only as the designer of the newspaper, website, events, Vrij Beton, and the web documentary, but also as a coordinator, connector, and driving force.
Writing
I no longer remember exactly when or why, but my love for stories and books has been with me since my early years. This fascination with the printed book is twofold. On the one hand, there is the designer in me who loves the craft of bookmaking — the form, paper, ink, binding, and the physical experience of a book. On the other hand, there is the content: the story. Words take you on adventures, provide insights, spark interest, and largely shape how others think about something or someone. Our society is, to a large extent, built on stories.
The urge to write only emerged at art school, but the things I wrote there never saw the light of day. My book Archivo De Pivo (2011) contains my first writings, but they are entirely subordinate to the visual character of the book. It was only when I co-founded Amsterdam Alternative in 2015 and started working on the newspaper that I decided to write seriously for publication. I have since written many articles and do so with great pleasure, while also realizing that I still have much to learn.
Vrij Beton
In January 2019, during a public discussion at the Vrijpaleis, we launched a plan under the banner of Amsterdam Alternative to fight for new free spaces — permanent free spaces in collective ownership. The then-unnamed project was enthusiastically received and was given the name “Vrij Beton” a few months later.
The project continues to be received with great enthusiasm, but to this day we have not yet succeeded in realizing the first Vrij Beton free space in Amsterdam. This is not surprising, as acquiring property or space is extremely difficult in a city where space is scarce and prices are extremely high.
Web Documentary
After an online and offline campaign to introduce Vrij Beton to a broad audience, I organized several public discussions to involve interested and curious people in this ambitious project. I quickly noticed that many people had little understanding of how collective ownership works and often confused it with communism.
Instead of stubbornly continuing with Vrij Beton, I decided to take a step back and first create a foundation in the form of an archive or knowledge base — a place I could refer people to when it became clear they lacked knowledge about collective ownership. Because there are so many inspiring stories and examples, I decided to turn it into an modular web documentary: a project in which video, audio, photography, and text are combined to bundle knowledge and make it freely available to a wide audience. The web documentary has been online since early 2024 at www.collectiveownership.net.
Workshops and Presentations
The alternation between different projects and roles is challenging and gives me a great deal of satisfaction and energy. This hybrid form has developed over time because I have always combined my design practice with self-initiated, autonomous projects and collective, non-commercial initiatives such as OT301, Amsterdam Alternative, Vrij Beton, and the web documentary on collective ownership.
Because of this diversity of activities, I am not only an experienced designer and maker, but also have extensive experience organizing within collective, horizontal structures. In recent years, I have regularly shared my knowledge and experience through presentations, lectures, and workshops. Depending on the location, theme, and setting, I speak about topics such as design and creativity, free spaces, self-organization, self-management, taking initiative, collectivity, entrepreneurship, solidarity, activism, and collective ownership. I tailor the content of each presentation or workshop to the desired focus.
Future
I do not know exactly what the future will bring, but I hope to continue designing, organizing, initiating, writing, and doing all the other things I enjoy for a long time to come. I hope there will be many more meaningful self-initiated projects, collaborations, and commissions. At the same time, I want to keep experimenting, learning, and reflecting on the role of my work within the larger whole.
The role of the designer who makes something look beautiful when what lies behind the façade is ugly or harmful is certainly not mine. I only want to work for organizations, brands, companies, and people who think beyond their own wallets and are willing to commit themselves to a hopeful, healthy, and just future for everyone.
Panel - On Saturday, May 23, 2026, I participated in a public discussion about how Tempio de Futura Perduto (Milan) can secure its (sub)cultural space for the long term. Joining me on the panel were representatives from Reset (Lyon), Primogemito (Turin), Link (Bologna), Resident Advisor, and others.
Design - In February and March 2026, Steelhenge will be on display at Stenen Hoofd in Amsterdam. Steelhenge is an art installation slash mobile free space slash modern temple created by Maik ter Veer of the legendary Robodock festival, inspired by the iconic Stonehenge.
I designed the logo and temporary website, and also assisted with some of the organizational aspects.
Steelhenge website
Design - In 2025, I created several designs (presentations, identity, video) for/with the Center of Expertise Just City (HvA) to support the use of their Theory of Change. This Center of Expertise conducts research into justice across various fields, mapping out diverse perspectives on what justice entails.
Publication – In 2025, art institute De Appel published a colouring book for children (and adults). ‘A is for Art and Appel’ is a colouring book filled with experimental colouring pages created by 28 artists and designers from De Appel’s network. At the request of De Appel, I designed a double colouring page about collective ownership.
More info
Interview – At the end of 2025, Barbara van Male interviewed me about Amsterdam Alternative, free space, and counterculture. The Living City is a publication (Jan, 2026) by AmsterDOEN that highlights Amsterdam’s community economy and its significance for the city.
Publication – By the end of 2025, the book Gift to the City was published. This book celebrates the 750th anniversary of Amsterdam and provides an overview of the projects realized with financial support from the Amsterdam 750 Foundation. The Vrije Ruimte Festival, which I organized and shaped with Amsterdam Alternative, is featured with a double-page spread in the book.
Workshop - On Sunday 25th of January 2026 I did two classes/workshops about design, media, journalism and press freedom. Both classes - in the morning and afternoon - had about 20 kids in the age of 10-11 years old. The classes were part of the Future Expedition program by the IMC Weekendschool.
IMC Weekendschool website
Presentation – At the end of November 2025, I visited Milan at the invitation of Tempio del futuro perduto for a series of conversations about collective ownership, nightlife culture, collectivity, autonomy, and the creation of an international network of free spaces.
Tempio is housed in a former tram depot and combines a nightclub with living spaces, a record store, gallery, weekly markets, a dance studio, a DJ school, and a wall of kindness.
Insta
Podcast - Interviewed by Gully Davis from the inspiring organisation ‘Organising from Elsewhere’.
Organising from Elsewhere helps activists and organisations develop new ways of working together that reflect the interconnected nature of reality – moving beyond separation toward collective intelligence and transformative change.
Website // Insta
Exhibition – From 11 October 2025 to 8 March 2026, the exhibition “Amsterdams Stadsjournaal: Activist Films 1974–1984” will take place at the Amsterdam City Archives.
Amsterdams Stadsjournaal was a film collective active between 1974 and 1984. Their 36 activist films reflect on social injustice and inequality. They were not made to entertain, but to inform, motivate, and raise political awareness.
At the end of the exhibition, videos by contemporary collectives are shown. OT301, De Transketeers and Verdedig Noord are organizations that use art, activism, and diversity to drive social change.
Panel – On Friday, 19 September 2025, I took part as a panelist in a public discussion at the former Amsterdam Stadstimmertuin titled “Citizen Collectives: Drivers of Community Democracy.”
Moderated by Tine de Moor, I spoke with Nathalie van Loon (AmsterDOEN), Rinske van Noortwijk (Greenwish), and Linda Boer (SIF) about building and sustaining a community-based economy.
Organized by Collectieve Kracht
Interview – I spoke with Roxane Soudagar of One World Magazine about the rise of the cooperative movement, our web documentary on collective ownership, and OT301, for a feature in issue #16 (June 2025).
Read the article on the OneWorld website.
Podcast - Interviewed in 2024 by Rico from Mubi about the Ventilator cinema (OT301).
The Netherlands isn't known for tons of great movies... but its capital city of Amsterdam is packed with tons of great movie theaters. Rico takes us on a tour of his favorite town, to learn why. (Spoiler alert: Breaking into buildings played a role). Guests include director/actor Halina Reijn, NY Times contributor Nina Siegal, Jeffrey Babcock and me : )
Youtube // Spotify
Interview – On Friday, 4 April, I was a guest on Ramon de Lima’s monthly radio show Rolodex on Echobox Radio to talk about the second edition of the Vrije Ruimte Festival, organized this year by Amsterdam Alternative in celebration of its 10th anniversary.
The Rolodex episode can be replayed here.
Festival – On Saturday, 29 March, the kickoff of the Vrije Ruimte Festival 2025 took place. The festival is organized to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Amsterdam Alternative and 750 years of Amsterdam.
Across ten different dates between March and September, we are organizing ten events at various locations throughout Amsterdam (including OT301, Bajesdorp, Ru Paré, Cinetol, De Appel, Treehouse NDSM, Cavia, Plantage Dok, and Het Groene Veld).
Check the full program here.
Presentation – On Saturday, 22 March 2025, in the context of 24H Centrum and 750 years of Amsterdam, I took part in a talk show hosted by AmsterDOEN at Felix Meritis, discussing the power of communities, the commons, and the DIY movement in the city.
Presentation – On Friday, 7 March, I gave a presentation on the solidarity economy of OT301 and Amsterdam Alternative at the Financing the Commons symposium organized by the Architectural Association in London.
My presentation, along with all others, is available online.
Curator – In January 2025, I participated in the curator sessions of the Amsterdam Student Film Festival. Together with a small team of experts, we reviewed all submissions and selected the films, videos, and animations later screened at the festival in Cinema Hyena.
Presentation – On Saturday, 9 November, I gave an in-depth presentation on OT301, Amsterdam Alternative, and collective ownership to Dr. Torange Khonsari of London Metropolitan University and a group of master’s students from the Architectural Association in London.
Event – From Wednesday 16 to Sunday 20 October 2024, the 6th edition of the Amsterdam Alternative Dance Event took place.
We opened on Wednesday with Kino for Your Ears at the Ventilator Cinema, followed by Schorem Punk Night on Thursday at Cinetol. Friday featured Cosmic Force Presents…, Saturday hosted the legendary AADE x ADEV afterparty, and Sunday closed with the Space Grapes label night at OT301.
Interview – In July 2024, I was interviewed by Bob Knoester for Bewogen Stad #14 (decision-making) about OT301 and the web documentary on collective ownership.
Bewogen Stad is a digital magazine (HvA) focusing on social issues in the Amsterdam region.
View it here.
Seminar – In July 2024, I will lead a seminar on collective ownership for students participating in the two-week Curatorial Summer School at De Appel.
The Summer School celebrates the 30th anniversary of De Appel’s Curatorial Programme and brings together curators, artists, activists, and educators with a focus on land, ownership, and collectivization.
Presentation – Invited by Jubilee to participate in the Brussels Artist-Run Network event in June 2024.
The Brussels Artist-Run Network was founded in 2020 to facilitate knowledge exchange among artists.
Through a presentation, I shared my experiences with collective projects such as OT301 and Amsterdam Alternative.
Review – In issue no. 2 (2024) of Huurpeil magazine, published by the Woonbond, a positive review of the web documentary appeared in the “reading & viewing tips” section.
With thanks to Agnes Verweij.
The Woonbond advocates for the interests of tenants and people looking for housing.
Woonbond website
Review – Archined — the only truly critical, independent, community-based website in the Netherlands focused on architecture and more — published an extensive review of the collective ownership web documentary in early April 2024.
With thanks to René Boer.
Read the review on the Archined website.
Presentation – In April 2024, I gave a presentation on collective ownership during a Kennisalliantie Duurzaamheid meeting at Buurtwerkplaats Noorderhof in Amsterdam Nieuw-West.
Interview – Interview on Design Digger about our web documentary on collective ownership.
“Collective ownership is much more than a legal construction. It is about autonomy, trust, connection, affordability, collaboration, and shared responsibility and care.”
Many thanks to Jeroen Junte for the interview.
Read the full interview on the Design Digger website.
Workshop – Op zaterdag 20 april 2024 gaf ik een workshop over collectief eigendom tijdens het Honor the Earth Festival in de Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam.
Honor the Earth is een festival door en voor het volk, waar je wordt uitgenodigd mee te bouwen aan een inclusieve en rechtvaardige samenleving met een stabiel klimaat. Een ruimte voor immersieve en regeneratieve gemeenschapsopbouw via diverse workshops.
Meer over het festival en programma hier.
Presentatie / Discussie – Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 gaf ik een presentatie van de AA-webdocu over collectief eigendom bij De Appel.
Programma:
14:00-18:30: Videoprogramma
18:30-19:00: Talk door Ivo Schmetz
19:00-20:30: Paneldiscussie met Natasha Hulst (Grond van Bestaan), Andrea Verdecchia (Time to Access) en Marije Baalman (Bajesdorp, VrijCoop).
Meer info hier.
Interview – In early March, following my presentation at De Appel, I was interviewed by Joram Kraaijeveld of Metropolis M about the web documentary and collective ownership.
The article, titled “Collective Amsterdam – on new forms of shared ownership – in conversation with Ivo Schmetz”, was published on 14 March 2024 on the Metropolis M website.
Read the article here.
Expert workshops – On January 29 and February 6, 2024, Urban Management (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences), together with Radboud University Nijmegen, organized two Causal Loop Diagram sessions to map the dynamics, bottlenecks, and governance options for housing cooperatives using causal loop diagrams.
I participated on behalf of Amsterdam Alternative and primarily as the creator of the web documentary on collective ownership. Other participants included experts from And The People, Rabobank, Platform Wooncoöperaties Amsterdam, housing cooperative Eureka, Common City Development, Rochdale, and Raumplan.
Presentation / Discussion – On Friday, January 19, 2024, I presented version 2 of the web documentary on collective ownership at the Envisioning Free Space conference in Amsterdam.
After the presentation, two public discussions followed with participants from, among others, Domijn, Plantage Dok, De Fik, ZZW Rafelrand, VrijCoop, and Bajesdorp.
Envisioning Free Space website
Exhibition – In the autumn of 2023, the Amsterdam City Archives celebrated nightlife with the exhibition “Wie danst is vrij: Club Culture in Amsterdam 1980 – now.”
The exhibition explored the most important aspects of club culture in Amsterdam over the past four decades, using a wide range of media including photographs, personal stories, flyers, video, music, visual art, documents, and unique objects.
The exhibition included my book “20 Years of Art & Autonomy” about 20 years of OT301.
Webdocu launch – On Saturday, September 30, 2023, the launch of version 1 of the web documentary on collective ownership was officially celebrated at OT301 in Amsterdam.
From 15:00 to 00:00, a selection of videos was screened in the Ventilator cinema, accompanied by live podcast sessions and an exhibition in the Ventilator bar.
We closed the day with a party from 22:00 to 03:00 in the concert hall downstairs, featuring Alberta Balsam (live), DJ Overdose, Kimmah, and Zgjim.
The podcast sessions can, of course, still be listened to:
Session #1: Lenteland and the Regeneratie Coöperatie
Session #2: with myself
Session #3: with De Warren and De Nieuwe Meent
Session #4: with David van Kapitaloceen
Interview - Stefan Christoff from Free City Radio interviewed me at the end of 2023 about the ways that collective squatting actions that challenge the supremacy of the neoliberal city and conceptions of real-estate can work to fundamentally shift a city like Amsterdam and fundamentally change the lives of those involved.
The weekly Free City Radio program features interviews on contemporary political currents in Montréal, Canada and around the world, highlighting creative voices involved in struggles for transformative social change.
Listen to the interview here
Interview - In December 2023 I was interviewed by María Elorza Saralegui from WOXX (Luxemburg newspaper) about squatting in Amsterdam.
You can read: “Die ‘Kraak’ - Bewegung in Amsterdam: Der Traum vom Besetzen” on the Woxx website (in German).
Read the article here
Workshop – In 2023, together with Jan Geurtsen of VrijCoop and writer Rinske Bijl, I gave a workshop on collective ownership at the 2.Dh5 Festival at Ru Paré in Amsterdam.
2.Dh5 is an annual festival dedicated to the exchange of radical ideas, strategies, and practices by grassroots groups, collective projects, and direct-action campaigns in the Netherlands and beyond.
Check the 2.Dh5 festival website here.
Interview - In 2023 I was interviewed by Elitsa Kaleva from The Amsterdammer about the multifaced character of the OT301.
Read the article here
Interview - In 2022 I was a guest at the Dam daily radio show (Broadcast Amsterdam radio) to talk with Sarah and Cathy about Amsterdam Alternative, the OT301 and Vrij Beton. During the show we also played some music from the Amsterdam Alternative music playlist on Spotify.
Listen to the radio show here
Interview - Seeking Survival on Slim Radio interviewed me in February 2021 about the history and organisation of the OT301. On how the (in 1999) squatted old Film Academy of Amsterdam was turned into a collectively owned building for housing, artist workspaces and public spaces (concertspace, vegan kitchen, gallery, cinema) by a collective of artists.
Watch the full interview here.
Interview - Nicholas Burman from Tribune.co.uk interviewed me in July 2021 by about Vrij Beton.
“Amsterdam's Vrij Beton or 'Free Concrete' project aims to build on the city's history of squatting and easily available social housing with a collective ownership model for housing in the 21st century.”
Read the full interview here
Interview - After releasing the ‘Vrij Beton’ concept and campaign for Amsterdam Alternative in 2019 I was interviewed by Subbacultcha.
Vrij Beton has been set up to try and realize new collectively owned free spaces in Amsterdam.
Subbacultcha is an art and music platform devoted to emerging artists and a curious audience.
Read the interview here
Print release – On November 5, 2018, the second Kopfschmerzen series was released at the 310k studio.
Kopfschmerzen is a collaboration with Joris Tromp. The first series consisted of screen-printed poetry collections for the wall; this edition features a number of wearable poems.
Available via the Abnormal Data Processing website.
Lecture – In 2018, I gave a lecture at Studium Generale AKV|St. Joost (art academy) in Breda.
Using a series of projects and examples, I explained how I balance autonomous and applied work, the collective and the individual, earning money and experimentation.
A monologue about motivation, discipline, risk, and fulfillment. Everything relates to the choices you make and the extent to which you are willing to apply the discipline needed to defend and complete those choices and ideas.
For the full program, see here.
Newspaper article – Matjesdisco originally started as a joke at OT301: a costume party inspired by the 1980s and ’90s, complete with matching music, decoration, performances, live acts, and dress code.
The party grew into a major success and, besides OT301, took place at Paradiso, Het Paard, Timboektoe, Luxor, Effenaar, Tivoli, Solar Festival, Ipanema, Mezz, and many other venues and festivals across the Netherlands.
In November 2018, Steffi Posthumus of Het Parool wrote an article about the 10-year anniversary of our joke that got out of hand.
Read the article here.
Watch a few Matjesdisco videos – Paradiso 2011 // Paradiso 2012
Report / Interview – When I organized AADE (Amsterdam Alternative Dance Event) at OT301 for the first time on behalf of Amsterdam Alternative in 2018, 3voor12 came by to make a video report.
The line up that evening included DJ Marcelle / Another Nice Mess, Eboman, KRAZ (live), LHISPR, Steven de Peven, Power vs Power, and Rank Assistant (live).
Watch the report here.
Interview - In 2017 I was interviewed by MusicMap about ‘creative Amsterdam’ and my involvement in Basserk records, Amsterdam Alternative and the OT301.
MusicMap is a local music discovery service on a global scale.
Read the interview here.
Workshops / Lectures - In 2017 I was invited by Bin Kim from Urban Transformer to Seoul (KOR) for some lectures and workshops about collectivity, collective ownership and autonomous/free spaces when they were in the proces of transforming Nodeul island into a spaces for creatives.
Interview – Interviewed in 2017 by Marieke de Bra about books, design, and other projects.
Thuyskamer (later renamed Lykke) was a shop in Amsterdam with a diverse collection of local and sustainable design. The shop sold, among other things, the books Archivo De Pivo, Autonomie door Tegenspraak – 20 Years of Art & Autonomy, and several Kopfschmerzen and Basserk screen prints.
Read the interview here.
Interview - Interviewed by Venus Orbits ForJustice about the OT301 collective’s evolution from being squatters to owners of a building that is home to alternative art, lifestyle and expression and the power of collective action.
Read the interview here.
Exhibition – Showroom Limburg
From February 16 to May 7, 2017, the book “Autonomie door tegenspraak” was part of the exhibition Showroom Limburg at the Cube Design Museum in Kerkrade.
Unfortunately, the Cube Design Museum was forced to close its doors in 2021.