Bibliobox
Bibliobox is a mobile library of rural art, that was send into the world by Myvillages
Biblbiobox in Hardenberg NL (2006)
Traveling with the Bibliobox in the North of the Netherlands (2007)
A set up in Shrewsbury with DVD player (2006)
A setup (part) with 2 boxes and crates (2016)
A setup (part) display (2016)
Initiator(s)
Wapke Feenstra, Myvillages
Description
Bibliobox is a mobile library of rural art initiated by Myvillages. Between 2005 and 2016 it travelled to more than fifty villages and towns, presented in pubs, farms and village halls. It carried books, films and CDs from over one hundred rural art projects and was hosted each time by whoever invited it, such as local artists, art institutions, farmers or village associations. The project responded to a need for non-central culture and solidarity between rural art practices, and aimed to recognise the rural as a place of contemporary cultural production. The project began in spring 2005, when participants of a Myvillages seminar in Ditchling each contributed a book or film, and was first presented a few months later in an Irish pub in Carrick-on-Shannon. Conceived as a self-driving system, its content, programme and route were determined by hosts rather than by Myvillages.
Goals
The project is designed to grow gradually, assing to its collection and presentations over time. In 2010 the collection outgrew the original box (made by Supergoed in Rotterdam), so a second box was built (by a carpenter in Hranice u Malče). Presentations of the Bibliobox in museums also increased. In 2016 travelling ended becasue the books had become too fragile to be shipped. The 2005 - 2016 archive remains online at bibliobox.org. In 2026 a new box will be built for an exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and filled with new generations of rural books and zines. In 2027/28 Bibliobox 3, a mobile library of rural art, will seek new adiences.
Beneficial outcomes
Until 2016, the Bibliobox connected translocal rural art and enabled new rural networks. Boxes 1 and 2 are now archived. During this period the Bibliobox travelled to more than fifty villages and towns, where it was presented in pubs, farms and village halls. It carried books, films and CDs from over one hundred rural art projects and was hosted each time by whoever invited it.
The original box was designed by Wapke Feenstra and Supergoed, the company of artist Frank de Bruijn. The library system was developed with Hennie Smidt, and the graphic identity was created by Arienne Boelens. Thomas Sprenger developed the flowchart and technical set-up of the website, and Bertwin Wenink continued its technical development. Content and uploads were handled by Nathalie Houtermans and Carina van der Walt, and the Q-Kunst company prepared the loan contracts. From 2026, a new box created for the exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam invites contributions in the form of a book, film or zine, which can be handed in or sent by post. The box is set up in a gallery room and is open for contributions until April 2027. All art projects actively involved in a rural context are given a place in the third box. This continues the archiving of rural art and the activation of translocal rural networks.
Location
The Netherlands, translocal
Users
2016, Leipzig Museum of Contemparary Art (GfZK); 2013, The Architecture Foundation London; 2013, Centrum Beeldende Kunst Assen; 2012, Yo-yo, in collaboration with Polom NGO and others; 2012, Anne Kersten in collaboration with Stéphane Bauer (curators); 2011, Mackintosh Museum and Glasgow School of Art; 2010, Neil Berecry-Brown & Tracey Callinan; 2010, Neil Berecry-Brown, director of Brown; 2010, 2010 Ian Tully; 2009, University of Newcastle; 2009, Muswellbrook Regional Art Centre, Williams River Valley Artists Project; 2008, SCAB Art Café / Mill De Zwaluw; 2008, Sebastian Ramirez (curator) and Donna Lynas (director) Wysing Arts Centre; 2008, Anne Kersten and Kunstverein Wolfsburg; 2008, Renata Mantorska; 2008, Kasteel Groeneveld; 2007, Durk Nouta; 2007, Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery and the School of Art and Design, University of Wolverhampton; 2007, KunstEyssen; 2007, Ko Sliggers; 2007, Adrian Plant and The Six Bells pub; 2007, KunstEyssen; 2007, Kerry Watson of the Hurst with Jackie Leech as the mediator; 2007, Helmut Dick; 2007, Wijkwaard Community Centre; 2007, Kunstcentrum Bergen; 2007, Egmond Library; 2007, Jan Hartholt; 2007, Wapke Feenstra and Siebe Haven; 2007, Trudi Vervaart and Jacob vd Valk; 2006 & 2007, Shrewsbury Museum and Gallery & mediamaker (Adrian Plant) and Myvillages.org (Kathrin Böhm); 2006, I-KU, Institut zur Entwicklung des ländlichen Kulturraums; 2006, B + B (Sarah Carrington and Sophie Hope); 2006, SKOR; 2006, Kunstenlab Deventer; 2006, KCO Zwolle & City of Hardenberg; 2006, Myvillages; 2006, Ian Hunter and Celia Larner; 2006, Kunst en Cultuur Overijssel, KCO; 2006, Kultivator, Agri - Kulturell Plattform; 2005, TRADE, Cliodhna Shaffrey
Maintained by
Myvillages, Wapke Feenstra, Rural School of Economics
Duration
2005 - 2016, 2026
Category
Scientific
Pedagogical
Politics
Urban Development
Economy
Environment
Social
