THOUSAND DOORS

‘Spectacular art performance in Vinkhuizen’

On 22 March 2003 Thousand Doors portrayed and expressed the emotions associated with the major renovation of the Groningen neighborhood Vinkhuizen. The theatrical spectacle put the feelings of the residents of Vinkhuizen under the spotlight during the demolition and rebuilding of their neighborhood. It led to a gigantic light and sound show in the skeleton of a razed apartment building, combined with a giant domino line with hundreds of doors from the building. The residents recognized themselves in this show. I used themes and emotions in the neighborhood at the moment, namely the hectics of the demolition activities and the longing for the quiet of home. Transparencies were made of household attributes such as a teapot, an indoor plant, or a grandfather’s clock. During the show the public played a game of “Memory”. Thousand Doors was a ritual with the participation of residents, school children, art students and people serving a community service sentence. It was a ritual meant to mark the crossing from the old to a new situation. 

  • Video report RTV Noord, maart 2003 1:41 min (in Dutch)
  • Video report Thousand Doors (Perry Hoeksta) 9:25 min (in Dutch)

Financing CBK Groningen, Provincie Groningen, Dienst R.O / E.Z. from the municipality of Groningen. Sponsoring G. Steenhuis Sloopwerken, BSE Licht en Geluid, Reisigers BV, Gjaltema Verhuur, Super de Boer, Geveke Bouw, Gasunie, Suikerunie. Concept and production Ida van der Lee, for the CBK Groningen in coproduction with Nijestee Vastgoed. Staff Ridzerd Hooijenga (demolition superintendent), Gerard Hassing (cherry picker), Truus Blijham (brief), Paul van Blom, Jaap Velserboer en Benno Baars (technical), Erik Beemster(audio visual), Henk Post (light), Annemarije Venema, Maartje Peters en Irene Kromhout (production), Joost Nieuwenburg (technical). Volunteers Joris Witvliet, Menno Hoekstra, Moniek Westerman, Carla Smit, Jannie Niemeijer, Sanne Werkman, Julia Loosjes, Sander Zuidema, Gerard Eikelenboom, Pablo terBorg, Sjaenet Bijker, Wia Stegenman, Lyda Lichtenbeld, Deborah Roffel, Pieter deJong, Ilona Hakvoort, Lucia Doze, Marieke van Grootel, Aedda Nagtegaal, Dreeuwske Andrea, Vivi-Ann Sigernes, Elan Hund, Klaas Veenstra, Marja van Wetten, Heerko en Peter van Ek. In cooperation with Children Protection Council, Het Reitdiepcollege, de Vinkenborghschool, Van de Naschoolse Opvang Vensterschool Minerva Academie,Buurtconciërges, Buurtcentrum De Wende. Catering Jessica Panhuijsen, Alie Luining, Joost Nieuwenburg, May Adamus. Photography Harry Cock, Raymond Wijngaard, Paul Gofferjé. Video Perrie Hoekstra en Larrie Muntendam. Publication Philip Stroomberg.