Program

Sorry, on Stage is a multidisciplinairy event brought to you by musicians, thinkers, dancers, writers and performers of Curaçao. Some are young, some are older, some are well known and some are underground talents.

What they have in common is that these artists will perform their reactions on the apology the Dutch Government made for its role in the slave trade. The current exhibition Sorry,… is a reflection by 19 visual artists on this apology. With Sorry, on Stage the floor belongs to artists from other art disciplines. On Friday August 11 from 7 pm to 9:30 pm.

On the Landhuis Bloemhof premises you can enjoy performances by writer Roland ‘Roi’ Colastica, the duo Iris Zavala Blanco & Vesuhely Americaan, Tittel del Mar, violinist CJ Opus, dancer True A, pianist Djuvaldric Groenenberg, dancer Rayzahna accompanied by Tshepo Seshaba on the ‘bari’, spoken word artist Robyn and a special appearance by Gordon & Friends. Tipiko Pasa Bon will open the evening and will let us go out with a blast at the end of this evening. And of course you will be able to visit the thought-provoking exhibition Sorry,…

So join us August 11 and be part of this experience with dance, music, literature and spoken word. This event is supported by the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied.

Sorry,... on Stage starts at 7 pm and ends at 9:30 pm. Tickets @ 10 ANG for adults and 5 ANG for children up to 12 years old are available at Landhuis Bloemhof and at the door on the evening of this event. Parking is also available at the Orco Bank parkinglot

ART Exhibition 'Sorry,...' reflecting on Dutch slave trade apology 

The thought-provoking exhibition 'Sorry,...' opened on June 30th, Landhuis Bloemhof, with inspiring artworks by 19 contributors. The inauguration featured performances by Nohely Simon, Ralph Winedt and Nathania Engelhardt.

Visitors have the opportunity to engage with the artists, gain insights into their creative processes, and discover the profound narratives interwoven within their works. The exhibition 'Sorry,...' will be on display until August 19.

About 'Sorry,...'
The exhibition derives its name from the historic apology made on December 19, 2022, by the Dutch Kingdom's Prime Minister, Mr. Mark Rutte, acknowledging the role the Dutch government played over time in the slave trade that deeply impacted Curaçao and many other countries. 'Sorry,...' invites visitors to explore the artists' personal perspectives on the apology and its significance in a variety of art forms, including mixed media, paintings, ceramic, stone and wooden sculptures, and more. Each artwork delves into the complex and emotional layers surrounding this historical event, fostering dialogue and understanding.

Artists
'Sorry,...' showcases a variety of art works by Ailsa Anastatia, Bethyamin van Nieuwenhuijzen, Ellen Spijkstra, Esther Reyerse, Gerlof Bouma, Miah de Sousa, Gwen Anderson, Kemuël Sandries, Laica Leito, Maghalie George, Margarita Haakmat, Nohely Simon, Paul Senders, Pito Polo, Raily Yance, Richard Doest, Rochelle Monte, Rose Ann Ignacio and Ruthson Cecilia.

You can see the online catalogue here.

Events
'Sorry,...' will be on until August 19, allowing ample time for visitors to delve into the diverse range of artworks and contemplate their personal responses. Throughout the exhibition, several events will take place.

The highlights of the events include:
A Travelling Dialogue started on July 2^nd in Otrobanda, continuing each week at a different locations. It's an interactive dialogue session inviting the public to share perspectives on the apology and the ongoing impact of slave trading. This event is presented in collaboration with Gray Area -audiovisual & artistic production - and Carrying Narratives
Dates are July 2 Brionplein- Otrobanda, July 14 Mi Lucha Snack- Santa Maria, July 22 Sentro di Bario Montaña and July 30 at Kas di Kuenta in Santa Cruz. All dialogues from 5 pm to 7 pm.

Family Names Lecture on July 8^th was an interactive presentation by Christel Monsanto about the origin of family names in Curaçao, exploring their connections to the island's history. The presentation is conducted mainly in Dutch but not excluding Papiamentu and English.

Our closing event, Sorry,... on Stage on August 11^th is a multidisciplinary event brought to you by musicians, thinkers, dancers, writers and performers of Curaçao. Some are young, some are older, some are well known and some are underground talents. Read more.

Prepare to be captivated by the artistry of Roberto Tjon A Meeuw as Landhuis Bloemhof invites you to embark on a transformative journey through his latest exhibition titled Lanta! This mixed media exhibition featuring creations made with washed up plastic and wood, iron and paint is set to open on Saturday, August 26 at 11 AM at Landhuis Bloemhof. Lanta! will grace the art scene until October 7th, offering visitors a chance to delve into the multifaceted art of Tjon A Meeuw.

Eco-messenger
Roberto's creations echo a profound message - an urgent call to restore harmony with nature. He stands as a messenger and artist-philosopher whose every creation births a dialogue between humanity and its natural habitat. Tjon A Meeuw beckons us to reimagine, repurpose, and rediscover the relationship between humans and the environment. His works are testament to the spirit of an artist on a mission to reshape the world.

Events
During the exhibition Roberto Tjon A Meeuw will be present in the garden of Landhuis Bloemhof on Saturdays from 9 AM to 12 PM. He will be working during the mornings, and anyone interested is welcome to join in and create a piece for the Whimsical Tree in Bloemhof's courtyard. Additionally, a Meet the Artist evening will be organized during which Roberto will discuss the messages conveyed by his works and engage with the audience in discussions about tangible actions taken on the island. Lastly, the exhibition will culminate in a festive closing with musical beats by Roberto and Mathijs Rijne, renowned particularly in the Netherlands for fusing local traditional music with a modern twist.

About the artist
Hailing originally from Suriname, Roberto Tjon A Meeuw has enriched the creative tapestry of Curaçao for nearly 12 years. He has various exhibitions under his belt in Curaçao, Suriname, Tobago and The Netherlands. Furthermore, he worked on many special projects like building a playground out of recycled materials, furniture for restaurants and establishments, commissioned murals and creative workshops in Curaçao and Suriname. 

Renowned for his art installations crafted from repurposed materials, Roberto's most well-known work in Curaçao stands proudly as the 9-meter-long "Piská." Nestled within the heart of the Scharloo neighborhood, this recycled fish takes center stage in Parke Leyba.

The idea behind "Piská" emerged from Roberto's deep-seated concern for marine pollution plaguing our shores. Rallying island schoolchildren to partake, Roberto orchestrated the birth of a plastic art piece which underscores the power of collective action.

Beyond his artistic endeavors, Roberto's identity is intertwined with the rhythm of the waves, a seasoned surfer who bridges his artistic pursuits with his role as a stay-at-home father. His home remains his sanctuary. Within these premises his sons bear witness to his creative process. In Roberto's philosophy, being a father and an artist seamlessly intertwine. His aspirations were always rooted in awakening consciousness. His creations serve as vessels to realign humanity's trajectory, reflecting the urgency to reconcile with nature. 

Lanta! will be showing until October 7th, 2023. Landhuis Bloemhof, Santa Rosaweg 6, open from Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM. For more information: info@bloemhof.cw or call/whatsapp (5999) 7375775.