S7 Summit "We Dream too Hard"

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S7 Summit "We Dream too Hard" 1 February 2010

Monday, 1 February from 2 pm to 6 pm (doors open at 1 pm)
Location: De Bazel (city archive), Vijzelstraat 32, Amsterdam.

The S7 Summit is organised by Ann Demeester, director of de Appel, in the context of the Art + Urban Development Intendancy. Alderman of Art and Culture Carolien Gehrels of the Municipality of Amsterdam commissioned the Intendant for the purpose of sharpening the debate over the role that art and culture can play in urban (re)development processes.

The S7 Summit (S7 refers to the seven new districts that are being introduced in May 2010 in Amsterdam) is organised under the motto ‘We Dream too Hard!’. According to the Intendant, the role art plays in urban revitalisation and expansion in Amsterdam, is frequently dreamt about. In recent years, prominent ‘dream projects’ such as the Concert Hall at the IJ river (Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ) and the Hermitage, have been realised. All too often, however, these dreams are just an excuse to postpone current action.

Campaign
The Intendant conducted interviews with more than 50 organisations and institutions (housing corporation representatives, district politicians, project developers, urbanists, civil servants, independent advisors, etc.). The interviews have led to a multi-campaign that starts at the end of January 2010. This campaign includes an info newspaper, an S7 Summit, a presentation in the Zuiderkerk, and ultimately, we hope, the necessary long-term effects.

Info newspaper containing seven district maps – distributed free-of-charge at the end of January
The newspaper informs the residents of Amsterdam – 366,000 households – of the new district structure (seven districts instead of the current fourteen), but, more especially, of three levels of ‘Art and Culture venues’ in Amsterdam. The levels are marked on seven separate district plans: what exists (e.g. the Muziekmakerscentrum and Podium Mozaïek); what is to come (e.g. the new Stedelijk Museum and the Tolhuistuin); what is being dreamt about -the so-called fata-morgana's- (e.g. the MOMA-on-the-IJ and the Zuidas Design Museum).

S7Summit
On 01 February, key figures, prominent players and speakers, amongst whom: alderman Maarten van Poelgeest, Robert Dijckmeester (director of the Zuidas district) and Ton Schaap (urban planner from the Municipality of Amsterdam), come together to combat or defend this initiative under the leadership of moderator Peter van Ingen (Buitenhof). They do this on the basis of four challenging propositions:

• "There is only one boss in Amsterdam!"
• "Long live the building freeze: Programming is essential!"
• "Less is more when it comes to rules: Clear the red tape!"
• "Life after the anti-squatting law: Free-up space!"

The Summit concludes with the manifesto ‘We Dream too Hard, Let's Act!’.

Zuiderkerk Presentation
As of 03 March 2010, the exhibition "We Dream too Hard" will open in the Zuiderkerk with a presentation of the aforementioned Art and Culture plans, and a new artwork by Jan Rothuizen. The public is given an opportunity to admire the district plans in large format during the months of March and April 2010.

For more information check www.s7summit.nl or please contact Samga Nguyen via info [​at​] S7Summit.nl.