AHEAD OF THE CURVE CHRONICLES №11
MONDAY MISSION: A CULTURAL FIX
With the sunshine disappearing and Coronavirus not, the team were given a day off to lift their spirits by doing something cultural or creative. Here’s what everyone got up to.
Angélica, HS Integrated Producer: In the morning, I went to FOAM with Ben to see the work of Johny Pitt, Susanne Khalil Yusef and Alec Soth. We saw some great photography with different themes. Afterwards I decided to get some new paint and paper to do some art at home. I did a painting course at the Rijksmuseum but haven’t had much of a chance to make time for it since then, so it was nice to sit down and get my hands dirty :)
Sylvan, HS Creative: First I headed to the Rijksmuseum for the 10th time to see The Threatened Swan painting. In the afternoon, I focused on my side-hustle and sent out an order from my online shop, Served Store. I managed to trade some shoes for a pair which I’ve been searching for for two years. Finally, I finished the book HarrimanSteel gave me for my birthday.
Katinka, HS Operations Manager: Blowing the dust off my old notebook for the first time in about 4 years, I began sketching new clothing designs and started drafting a pattern from scratch. I love the precision that pattern-making requires, but I no longer have the correct tools, so had to improvise with a book edge and eye-o-meter!
Gemma, HS Creative: I went to Oosterpark, to escape my usual neighbourhood. I then went to study some Dutch at Uncommon Cafe, followed by a trip to FOAM where Alex Soth had an exhibition. To finish the day off, I threw bleach at some clothes.
Lydia, HS Jr. Creative: Sunday evening’s activities merged into Monday morning’s. I learnt how to arrange flowers and create a bouquet of flowers. September has been a big month of moving, and being here, there and everywhere. Yesterday was the first time to stop and take a day to go out and explore my new neighbourhood. It lead me to discover a poster series of a sex trafficking campaign that I feel is worth checking out.
Andy, HS Business Director: I took a nice break from the streets of Amsterdam on a solo bike ride out to Haarlem. Opting for the longer, more scenic route through forests and along rivers allowed for a more peaceful adventure. With the headphones on (listening to podcasts) and open bike paths, it was a very relaxed, self-reflective day with mental breathing space. A great success.
Ben, HS Sr. Art Director: The day started with jaunt to FOAM to check out the new exhibitions, of particular note were the layered portraits of Alec Soth and the room-spanning photo mosaic of Johny Pitt’s Afropean odyssey. The afternoon saw an intense hour of Minecraft construction with my son, resulting in a 25 block high ziggurat with internal redstone ‘rollercoaster’.
Kim, HS Account Manager: I ventured over to Noord to visit the new Nxt Museum and try out the immersive art installations. The exhibition was about how art, technology and humanity can come together to create possibilities for the future. I finished the day with a lovely wine at the Skylounge.
Marine, HS Jr. Creative: I started my day with a bike ride in Amsterdamse Bos enjoying the good weather and the birdsong. Then I went to FOAM where I really appreciated the work of Johny Pitt. I spent my afternoon reading some of my ‘hippy book’ (as my friends call it) and swimming near a huge yellow submarine in Prinseneiland.
Natalia, HS Account Director: In the morning I focused on setting up my WFH space to feel comfortable and productive, while fine-tuning a few details to make it brighter and tidier. #thankyouikea. I got to enjoy the good weather by spending some time with my family, but also finding a few ‘me moments’ with a good cup of coffee and a book.
