Bik van der Pol

This month Nai Publishers will launch the new publication ‘Bik Van der Pol’, the first survey ever of the projects of the Rotterdam-based artist duo of Liesbeth Bik and Jos van der Pol. The book features 7 essays which analyze their way of working. On the occasion of this publication Stroom Den Haag organizes an exhibition around the works of Bik Van der Pol and a lecture by dr. ir.-architect Wouter Davidts entitled ‘Studio takes’ on Wednesday June 29.

Out of their commitment with their direct environment Bik Van der Pol create (often architectural) installations which they fill with a specific program. They confront their audience with a specific space and force people to think about the history and future of this space, and about the city in general. With their projects they discuss questions about the functionality and the usage of art in specific situations or places. As intermediates they aim to influence and change the cultural climate in a positive way, to alter situations, to add what is missing, to throw light on what is in the dark, to open things up and make them public. The projects of Bik Van der Pol can be a source of inspiration for artists, architects, designers and theoreticians and are receiving more and more international attention. In 2005 their work can also been seen in a.o. Büro Friedrich, Berlin; Museum het Valkhof, Nijmegen; and Wiener Sezession, Vienna.

Wouter Davidts, who contributed one of the essays to the publication ‘Bik Van der Pol’, is very active in writing about the move from the studio to public space. In his work he focuses on the borderline between visual arts and architecture. In 1998 he joined the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning of the University of Gent (Belgium), where he is preparing a thesis on museum architecture, under the guidance of prof. dr. Bart Verschaffel. He has published articles about architecture and visual arts in magazines like Archis and De Witte Raaf.

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Bik van der Pol

Lecture Wouter Davidts, 'Studio takes’ Wednesday June 29, 8 pm