Page 68 - MIN TTC - AUG 10,2015

IT’S ABOUT
ART AND
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
‘FROM local artists to the local people.’ In a nutshell that’s what project Korteweg
(Short road) is trying to achieve.”Ana Maria Ramirez from UNOCA, the cultural
fund that supports this initiative mentioned. Artist Cado de Lannoy came up with
the idea of a side street off the main street that offers a variety of local artists’
pieces. This will make art more accessible to the public, but will also encourage
entrepreneurship to the artists. De Lannoy:
“This will allow artists to live from them
money made with their work.”
Korteweg is street art, as it is bluntly said. “The first session sponsored by UNOCA
took place in May and started with eight participants. Meanwhile its success grew
and we now have twenty participating artists,” Ramirez said enthusiastically. The
idea is that more people can be reached in the world of art while entrepreneurship
is stimulated among the performers.
“This will bring art to a more professional
level and actively involve the society in art.”
“Korteweg can be viewed as a meeting point for artists and audiences,” Ramirez
continues. UNOCA is always willing to support local artists according to Ramirez.
Artist Rudy Omar Leysner recently took part in a Visionary Art Intensive Course in
New York. “It stimulates the artist to advance to the next level. Culture should be
more a part of society. “
Korteweg is a new local avant-garde art movement, started out as a collaboration
of friends who wanted to provide Aruba with a local art street where artists could
ARUBA TRAVELLER - Monday, August 10 2015
sell their handmade
arts and crafts to the
public. Exhibiting
their various art
forms in a pop-up
style market made
of reclaimed wood,
visitors are welcome to
meet the local artists, purchase unique
locally hand-made art, crafts and snacks made out of cacti, whilst enjoying local
vibes. Since its launch in April 2015, Korteweg has also popped up in for the San
Nicolas edition during Carubbian, With Cado “Cadosbla” De Lannoy at the helm,
ideas were made into actions and his art crew is growing by the day.
Mixing People
“In recent sessions Korteweg drew an audience of young and old, from bank man-
agers to students” says Ramirez. “It was a nice mix of people.” Sustainability also
plays an important role in the artists’ initiative because the stands are all made
from recycled pallets. De Lannoy explains that the idea came to him because of the
Government’s desire to attract more people to the Main street area. “At that time
the Fiesta den Caya on Friday was taking place and subsequently I suggested the
idea of a​​ n art street. So it began. Now we do this with the four us: Ashlin Ahlip,
Frank Kelly, Mario Briezen and I.”
In order not to work with the standard tables, the foursome decided to make pallet
timber stands where the art can be displayed.
“I was already making all kinds of pallet furniture and now I get more and more
orders. That’s the idea of Korteweg: For artists to live from their art and it supports
our economy. De Lannoy is pleased with the support received from UNOCA which
puts a particular artist in the limelight each month.
“There is food, drinks and music. The environment has to be particularly sociable
and inspiring.” According to De Lannoy if it were up to him Korteweg would be
travelling in the future. “There’s already a chance that a Korteweg design underway
is in New York where my girlfriend lives. Who knows,” De Lannoy says laughing.
For those who want to know more about Korteweg they can visit its Facebook page.
Korteweg is located in the heart of Oranjestad, the perfect setting to start an art
movement where local artists can sell their handmade arts and crafts to the public
and had a special event last Friday.
3LOCAL