FRAGMENTS extended - About the struggle for independence in Dutch East Indies

The colonial history of the Netherlands and Indonesia frequently reaches the news. The Belgian writer David van Reybrouck is currently working on a book about Indonesia. He says: "I notice that Indonesia decolonises, but the Netherlands is not." He points out that many books are written on this subject but that most of them only expose the Dutch perspective. 

The Van Abbemuseum wants to create visibility for more perspectives. The exhibition FRAGMENTS [of a desire for revolution], showcases the research of artist Lidwien van de Ven in her search for the untold story of the colonial history. By using pictures, literature and a video she displays the fragmented view of internment camp Boven Digoel, where the Dutch colonial powers imprisoned communists in the communistic revolution of 1926/1927. 

FRAGMENTS extended 

In the afternoon programme FRAGMENTS extended we want to study Indonesia's colonial history and struggle for independence by use of Indonesian literature and art. How have Indonesia writers expressed their experiences of the 20's? How do contemporary artists from Indonesia reflect on the past? Has the struggle for independence ended?

This afternoon we invite everyone who is curious about the relationship between the Netherlands and Indonesia and how this translates into literature and art.