KUNST IN TIJDEN VAN CRISIS
Parool, 2021
Full article: Parool - Opiniestuk Ravenna Westerhout
Kunst in tijden van crisis is a research and writing project that addresses the role of art, culture, and public space in times of crisis.
Through policy research, historical case studies, and cultural analysis, the project brings together contemporary experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic with examples of artistic resilience from periods of conflict and uncertainty. Conducted for the City of Amsterdam, the research explored how art and culture contribute to mental wellbeing, social cohesion, and collective resilience when everyday life is disrupted.
The work examines how cultural production functions as a form of social infrastructure, questioning the perception of art and culture as non-essential during moments of crisis. Drawing on historical examples, including the cultural life of besieged Sarajevo during the Bosnian War, it investigates how creative practices can provide meaning, connection, hope, and alternative perspectives in times of uncertainty.
The outcome takes the form of a published essay in Het Parool, translating the findings of the research into a contribution to the public debate on the societal value of art, culture, and public space during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.