Mapping Urk · videotryptich

Mapping Urk was a community project combining healthcare and art.
Two organisations in the town of Urk organised an artist residency within health care organisation Caritas. Different artists participated in day care programmes, concepting and directing several activities which lead to an eventual exhibit of works.
Before the municipality became part of a new dutch polder in 1939, Urk used to be an island. It’s borders are still visible in the town’s landscape and people’s stories and the island has a rich history having been part of several provinces in the Netherlands. Urk never lost it’s independent spirit and even today this is noticeable within the community. I wanted to use the concept of borders as a start for several activities connected to map-maping. By inviting the different care-groups, communities and education in Urk to create a unique personal version of Urk, or a phantasy island we could connect their stories and find a common ground.
The results of the project were exhibited in a unique art experience routing through town.
The works I directed and created were presented in the shape of a round table, two leporello books and an artistic video wall. A round table is the best way to invite people for an equivalent exchange of ideas and debate. On the table an imprint of drawings created by people in care groups were combined with a unique map design, offering a diverse view of options and conversation material. The leporello books present the individual drawings creeated by children of the community as a visually connected unity.
In this video you can experience the three parts as one long edit. This was the way it was presented on the walls of the exhibition area.
The first part refers to the traditional clothing and the weather and storms fishing boats often have to endure while at sea. Family back home will be worriedly looking on and praying for the crew's safe return.
The second part is an hommage to the animals on the island. The designs and animation were inspired by local dialect names for several animals like Ziemeeuw (Seagull) Skallebieter (Earwig) and Platte (Plaice).
The last part is a portrait of the islands boundaries over the centuries and the activities people have undertaken. Fishing and the fish trade made the community's thriving economy run well for many years.
The sound design was recorded in collaboration with local Sijmen Schenk, who has also taken care of some of the sound design and the music in the film.
Link to the full project
prinsen.studio...
Credits
Film
Concept & animation: Udo Prinsen
Additional animation: Beth Sorby
Audio recording, sound design & music: Sijmen Schenk
Audio recording, sound design & edit: Udo Prinsen
Thanks to Jacob & Rik of Caritas.
Project management & overall creative concept residency:
Scab Urk: Lydia Brouwer-Woort, Greetje de Vries, Jacob Oeverbeek
Caritas Urk: Esther Schilder, Rik van Veldhuizen

[@solazeditz]

Absolutely love it 🙏 nice work

[@MiniMusicMovies]

Thank you !