Interconnected in Culture for a Stronger Ecosystem

Make friends, not art: learnings on how to be together otherwise

by Francesca Masoero 12 / 4 / 2023

Make friends, not art: learnings on how to be together otherwise

Between September and December 2022, in the framework of Undercurrents Alliance which is composed of Fondation Dar Bellarj + le 18 + Mahal Art Space we gathered to explore the possibilities, conditions and practices for working and being together otherwise.

Drawing on the experiences and questions of each participant, as well as the learnings shared by artist & cultural organiser Jeanne van Heeswijk, ruangrupa member Iswanto Hartono and others, we explored one of the practices at the heart of ruangrupa, the nongkrong and the principle of driving our actions in order to make friends as an art form to make together, share with each other, be able to be vulnerable, take risks and be joyful together.

This visual diary provides you a glimpse into what we have been sharing.

Photo credit 

Image 1, 3, 4: Undercurrents 

Image 5, 6, 10, 11, 12 Salah Bouadeh

Image 7 Carlos Perez Marin

Image 8, 9, 13, 14, 15 Iswanto Hartono

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