Bijbels Museum in Amsterdam Initiates Open Call for RE:FWD Exhibition, Exploring Hope in Crisis
The Bijbels Museum, located in Amsterdam, has announced an open call for "RE:FWD," an upcoming exhibition focused on the theme of hope amidst contemporary crises. This initiative invited young artists residing in the Netherlands to contribute work that reflects on societal change, interconnectedness, and the imagination of alternative futures. The museum, known for its focus on biblical themes and cultural heritage within historic canal houses, is supporting a project that seeks to engage with pressing global issues through artistic expression.
The exhibition, titled RE:FWD (previously known as No Time To Despair), aims to plant "seeds for a hopeful future." Curators Caithlin Courtney Chong, Thierno Deme, and Mees Elias van Zanten encouraged artists to create pieces that invite audiences to reflect on the past, adapt to the present, or envision innovative future scenarios. The core concept behind RE:FWD acknowledges that hope is not merely blind optimism but an active engagement with complexities and uncertainties to inspire action.
Exhibition Focus and Locations
RE:FWD specifically targets artists under 35 years old. This demographic was chosen due to the distinct impact that current global crises, such as war, climate change, and hyper-capitalism, have had on younger generations. The curators, who are part of the same generation, sought to foster a dialogue with peers navigating similar challenges and aspirations.
The collected artworks were slated for display at two distinct venues:
- Kunstlinie in Almere, from February 7 to July 6, 2025.
- NDSM FUSE in Amsterdam, from July 18 to August 31, 2025.
The open call for artist submissions has now concluded, with the deadline having been October 3rd, 2024. Artists whose practices focused on themes like collectivism, societal change, and alternative realities were encouraged to participate with existing, adapted, or new works. Selected artists were to be compensated for their contributions in line with professional guidelines found here.
While the submission period for RE:FWD has passed, the Bijbels Museum continues its mission to connect cultural heritage with contemporary relevance. To learn more about cultural spots and events in the city, you can explore other museums in Amsterdam or discover more on Musemap (musemap.art) by visiting the main map view.
