From 2020 onwards, House of Hiv has been researching and interviewing the histories of affected HIV communities. The challenge was to create an inclusive exhibition. Where they would make the invisible visible.
House of Hiv is a house under construction and a starting point in archiving and documenting the histories of the Dutch HIV community.
More information can be found on the website houseofhiv.nl.
Cooperation
For the development and production of the exhibition, the Ongekend Bijzonder team worked closely with the Central Library.
The exhibition introduces us to the history of fifteen Rotterdam citizens, to objects that are dear to them and to their perception of Rotterdam. The emphasis of the stories is on the reconstruction of their lives in Rotterdam, each story expressed in about 400 words. Of course, we would be doing the storytellers a disservice if we were to claim that their stories can be summarised in such a limited number of words. We only lift a tip of the veil here. The complete interviews, together with all interviewees in Rotterdam, can be found at the Stadsarchief Rotterdam and DANS.
For all portraits, go to ongekendbijzonder
Rotterdam Celebrates the City!
The exhibition linked up with Rotterdam viert de Stad! a manifestation about 75 years of reconstruction. The exhibition could be seen in the Central Library in Rotterdam from 12 May to 10 June 2016. An excellent opportunity to involve new Rotterdam residents. In the review RvdS writes: The exhibition attracted over 200,000 visitors!
Publication
The exhibition was accompanied by the publication“De wederopbouw van mijn leven” and a online magazine.
The fact that my story is now reflected in this exhibition means that, after 35 years, I feel for the first time like a real Rotterdammer
Rotterdam is my home, offers me opportunities and appreciates my artistic presence. It is a city with a lot of potential in which to grow. I am looking for space to grow. And space for growth is not something you get for free, you have to make an effort. That is the least you can do for the city that is your home and gives you peace and quiet. You create space not only for yourself, but also for the people around you. This increases the quality of your life and that of others.
Juan Heinsohn Huala with his daughter Lisa and Hortensia Bussi, widow of Salvador Allende, at the unveiling of the Salvador Allende monument in Rotterdam, 1992
A six-part podcast series on how the Deventer murder case degenerates into a media case. From reporting and truth-telling via infotainment to a smear campaign. Fact and fiction take on a life of their own and there are more victims than just the murdered widow. Journalists, editors of talk shows, opinion makers, Dutch celebrities and others involved explain how they became part of this media drama. Podcast maker Annegriet Wietsma elaborates on the book Deventer Moordzaak; het complot ontrafeld (The Hague Murder Case; the conspiracy unravelled) by journalist Bas Haan. In the podcast there is an important role for Michael de Jong, who was made suspicious by the media and labelled as ‘the handyman’. He tells how the affair shapes his life to this day.
