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(Archive) De kunst van leven | anno nu.

Since when did being busy become so normal? Shouldn't we decide that for ourselves?

This project was part of DDW 2021
De kunst van leven | anno nu. — © stichting KIP

Stressed, overworked, busy, we hear these words all around us. Being busy or being too busy seems to have become the norm. But since when? It grabs our attention, fascinates us and makes us curious. Curious about the history, the consequences and especially about looking for a possible way out.

De kunst van leven | anno nu.

For the theme of stress, a counter-narrative is needed. With last year still fresh in our minds, this theme is more relevant than ever. In our view, it cannot be that after taking all the steps towards 'normal', we go through life burnt out and exhausted again. That is why we now want to create awareness, offer new insights, break taboos and make the topic open for discussion. We present an environment where it is 'okay' to be yourself. Where you are given the feeling that you’re not alone, but also an environment where we look for tools to do things 'differently'.

We first carried out research – both in the literature and by asking questions to our fellow human beings. We started out with a neutral attitude, some words moved us, others inspired us or we were able to relate to them. During the research process, we asked ourselves the question: what can we learn from each other? Which interactions will work? And which ones won't?

We realised that it’s all about you, which is why this installation focuses on you as a human being. It is a place where you can experience who you are in today's society and how this relates to who you would like to be.