An art trip to New York, with Silvia Russel. By Judy van Blaricon

A few weeks ago I went with Silvia Russel on a trip for borough(ed) stories-  I wasn’t to sure about this goal, or what it meant. But I really wanted to find out how a fellow-artist would ‘do New York’. I had never done that. And I like to share some here.

I live in Amsterdam, the city in which my father met my mother. He came from Indiana. He had travelled the world searching for something, and he found many things. For some reason the urge to leave must have been strong, cause he didn’t like to fly. He’d avoid the plane if possible. So when he wanted to introduce his future wife to his parents, he took the boat from Rotterdam to New York. All this I had to think of, jogging along the Hudson; all that is made possible 400 years ago, and how we shape current reality.

I met Silvia Russel at a Dutch network called Bites and Business. We liked each others ideas and doings. So when I heard about her plan, I asked if I could come too. This was fine, if I would to join the project”. I would bring reflections on the project in a constant flow. As well as do some thorough documentation. We both thought this a very good idea. That I am actually American could help too. ( like our own version of NY400.) Three days later we were on the plane. Work to do.

I asked if there was a plan. Borough(ed) stories- is the name of a book of her work, and it was going to be launched. Silvia’s gallery organized it for within two weeks, so she wanted to visit the gallery and check out how things were going.
The gallery turned out te be very nice. LMAKprojects.  and it is represented by a a great women (who happens to be Dutch.) Silvia also wanted to return to Bed Stuyvesant. For whom this name doesn’t ring a bell (despite famous connections as Spike Lee and notorious B.I.G ) : Bedford-Stuyvesant is a neighborhood in the central portion of New York city, USA, borough of Brooklyn.

Silvia has lived there some time ago. I guess that already is a sign that Bed Stuy was going upscale, and cappuccino, curry and Char-donnay already had mostly elbowed out crack in smalls’ old stamping grounds (not my line).

This process of upscale is also referred to as gentrification:  the change in an urban area associated with the movement of more affluent individuals into a lower-class area. Interesting maybe, but much more if you read insights on this of a Bed Stuy blogger, who quotes the artist Banksy.

I joined the first day but it didn’t work for me. I felt guilty. A useless and typical Dutch reaction. Silvia however, went every day. She helped to distribute packages of food (a.o) and listened to the stories of the people she met. This exchange is important. I could very much relate to the stories she shared. I did my work from Manhattan. We talked a lot. In a week or so the date of the launch was set with it’s perfect location: Participants Inc. at the Lower East side. Very good place for many insights on the topic.

It all worked out very well. For me, here the documentation stops. The stories I can’t tell you. They have become drawings by now.

It could be the book is still available at the Dutch museum for modern art, Het Stedelijk Museum. In september Silvia Russel will exhibit in New York at the White Box with Towing the Line, Drawing Space: 40 Contemporary Dutch Artists Defining the Moment in Holland. I have a a great time, am truly grateful for the opportunity, and glad I took it too. Off to the next creative journey, which can take us anywere!

About the author
Judy van Blaricon is  born in the Netherlands, in 1969.
Own company in online communication; heyjude.info
Studies art at the Rietveld Academie; Dogtime.

About the Artist
Silvia Russel is born in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, in 1969
Visual Artist http://www.silviarussel.com/index.html Works and lives in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

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Tags: Amsterdam, Dutch American, Dutch Contemporary arts, Netherlands, New York City, NY400, NY400 Events