New community initiative in the Indische Buurt

A community art project in the Indische Buurt is using the history of early social housing to ask how neighbours connect in modern Amsterdam.

Based at De Poorthuisjes on Molukkenstraat, the year-long programme Ode aan de Gemeenschap brings artists and local residents together to explore what forms a neighbourhood community.

The legacy of a housing supervisor

The project draws on the life of Clasien Meursing, who worked as the housing supervisor of the Van der Pek block from 1919 to 1946.

Designed by architect Jan Ernst van der Pek and completed in 1911 between Balistraat and Eerste Atjehstraat, the complex was built around a communal garden to foster shared neighbourhood life.

Meursing did far more than collect the weekly rent. Notebooks found by historian Mirjam Prenger show she mediated domestic disputes, ran the block library, managed maintenance, and organised lectures, clubs, and holidays for residents.

A modern meeting place

Artist Marieke van Rooy has created the Klazien-o-theek in Meursing’s memory, hosted by a character named Klazina. Rather than lending books, the space gathers and shares ideas, stories, and practical skills among locals.

The wider initiative features four artist residencies, including choreographer Roberta Maimone, composer Kate Moore, artist duo Mangano Van Rooy, and the Indonesian collective Jatiwangi Art Factory.

Artist Arie Syarifuddin of Jatiwangi Art Factory is currently spending six weeks at De Poorthuisjes, examining the cultural and colonial history of sugar while engaging residents in shared projects.

September programme at De Poorthuisjes

Children’s clubs take place on 16 and 23 September from 15:00 to 17:00, with general neighbourhood gatherings on 19 and 26 September from 16:00 to 17:00.

The residency concludes on Sunday 27 September at 15:00 with Forum 27an, a discussion session designed to share daily life experiences and consider the future of the Klazien-o-theek.

Source: Oost Online