the latest news is hidden in the PS's...

Yesterday's publication in [nrc next] was about continually longing for each other and about counting down until the next moment my grandparents would see each other again. Several letters contain little drawn calenders: pieces of art to me! When reading the letters I clearly got the feeling that, no matter how many letters one would write to the other, it never filled up the emptiness of not being able to physically be together...

In one letter, grandpa wrote: "I also carefully read your comments in the PS's at the bottom (of your letter), since this is generally where the latest news is hidden". A subtle phrase, yet so true that I decided to turn it into a stamp. A statement to be used in your agenda/diary, in order to remind you (and myself!) of the beauty that lies in details, of the importance of regularly pushing the 'pause button' or in other words, to be aware.

The stamp says: "The latest news is hidden in the PS's." (In de PS'jes schuilt het meeste nieuws.) You can buy a brooch model of the stamp in my shop.

Have a look at the digital version of yesterday's photo here.

treasure-chest

This is my grandpa's 'war-chest', in which he kept clothes, supplies and belongings. I've been keeping the letter collection in it ever since it was handed over to me. On the inside of the lid, grandpa wrote the dates of his participation days in the war with a pencil. During these so called 'May days' in 1940, he was a part of the 13th battery of the anti-aircraft artillery who's mission it was to defend airport Ypenburg near The Hague. My grandma lived in the north of the Netherlands. She was a teacher.

They wrote each other letters every two or three days, sometimes every day. Many corners of the envelopes are missing, as grandpa collected stamps. I love the soft colours, the 'W' that coincidently shows up three times, the folds, the tears, the way the paper feels... Click here to see a digital version of the photo that was published in yesterday's paper.

nrc next

Yesterday in [nrc next]: the first photo of a series of five, taken of the collection of love letters that my grandparents wrote to each other just before and during WWII. Each day of this week a photo will be published, so I'm going to run out and get today's paper in a minute! (P.S.: Have a look here for a much nicer version of this photo...)

'beteken's een gebeurtenis'

I've been thinking of 'English ways' to explain this custom made gift for a visiting lecturer in mediation. Impossible, really, because the topic is a play of Dutch words. The concept comes down to the following: one thing mediation teaches is that even though you can't change an incident, you can change the meaning of it (the way you look at it). The kit includes 3 cut-outs of which you can make small boxes. Put an incident that you'd like to change into a box and then give it a whole new meaning by using the pencil.

'beteken's een gebeurtenis' is een op maat gemaakt geschenk voor een gastdocent in 'mediation'. Mediation stelt o.a.: "aan een gebeurtenis zelf kun je niks veranderen; wèl aan de betekenis die je eraan geeft!" Maak van een vouwplaat een doosje en stop er denkbeeldig een gebeurtenis in. Voor je ligt nu een 'schone lei'. Zet een nieuwe betekenis op het doosje: 'beteken's deze gebeurtenis'. Gebruik het potlood of je eigen materialen!

'Gezelligheid' continued!

As promised, here are some images of a finished set of souvenir cards (see message below). Create Dutch 'gezelligheid' (cosiness) by following the steps described on the cards: 1. put some tulips in a vase; 2. bake Dutch apple pie; 3. invite some friends over and ask them to come on time and 4. by bike; 5. serve them good quality coffee; 6. start talking about the weather; 7. tell your friends that you find it 'gezellig'!

"Fresh from the press!"

Meaning I just finished 100 souvenirs for a division of the Dutch Inspectorate of Education. The souvenirs enable foreign guests to create Dutch 'gezelligheid' (meaning something like cosiness) back at home in their own country in 7 typical steps. I'll share more images soon!

Compliment-tent

On a regular basis (unless she is really impressed!), my inner art critic joins me at my desk on a chair next to me. She'll ask me why I'm not making more art, artier art or ART. She sometimes even manages to make me question my entire being. My first reaction is usually to kick her out of my studio, or to send her to the back of my head. Today I decided to give her some 'counterweight' and dug up these photo's. About 5 years ago I created this 'compliment-tent'

(= complimententent), as a part of an assignment to make a shelter. A tent consisting of encouraging words from (boy)friends and family taken from letters and postcards that I'd kept over the years. Even though it's far from airtight, spending time in this tent is extremely comfortable. My inner art critic promised me that she would take a break. If you're going camping one of these days you might see her using this tent!