About the author
Last week, in part 1 of this double take, I introduced you to ROYALSTEEZ, the man and the artist. One of his most recent projects is Your Art Could Have Been Here. A project that started out on quite a small scale has now grown to a very notable level. What all started out as a frustration towards screaming artists throughout Holland, has evolved into a cross-medial project and a spot on the wall at the Cultuur-Ondernemen foundation in Amsterdam.
After getting to know you and your style of work, let’s zoom in on one piece: Your Art Could Have Been Here. Run us through how it all started.
“Over the years I’ve built up some frustration towards other artists. Some people are so lazy! You have to make sure you’re seen and you have to work hard. Then the culture cuts came along; a group of people that no one takes seriously, decided that it’s time for a change. But instead of constantly complaining, people should be putting more energy into the work they make.
Some artists are so lazy!
I believe that the Dutch, are actually a bunch of pussies; we turn each demonstration into a birthday party with face paint, balloons and music. Look at the recent riots in London. Of course it’s terrible what’s happening over there. But I get it; I can understand where the youth’s frustrations are coming from. Imagine what that would be like here in Holland though. All the riots and the looting; it would be really surreal.”
So how did this lead to the final result as we now know it?
“I wanted to get my message across, on a number of different levels. Then I came up with the text and all by myself, I criss-crossed through Holland visiting 12 cities in the dead of night (while it was -10˚ C outside), sticking up huge posters with the words: Your Art Could Have Been Here. From there it grew, fast. I got so many reactions, good and bad, from all over the country. In one way I’m challenging other artists, taunting them to also get off their couch and do something. In another way I’m teasing people, ‘nah-nah-nah, I win!’ It’s meant to open someone’s eyes and make them realize: ‘Hey, he’s right! My art could have been here’.”
Nah-nah-nah, I win!
Strong words. At what point did the collaboration with the Cultuur-Ondernemen foundation get underway?
“One thing led to another and I got a phone call from the foundation saying how much they loved my work, they have a very strong affiliation with it. I was really honoured and amazed at how this project had grown so quickly. My posters led to stickers, which led to postcards, which led to t-shirts, which has now led to three really cool light boxes. Two of them will be mounted on the wall at the foundation’s Amsterdam office and the third will go to their office in Rotterdam. They’ll hang there for a year and after that we’ll see what the next step is. But how cool is that? My work, hanging in the reception of their head office. My art!”
You know, your interview could have been here.
“Good point. But the fact that I’m in it, means that anyone can do it.”
Photos by Sabrina Beek
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