Eventless Event 6

"Public Swimming Pool" by Laurence Aëgerter

New public swimming pool in Amsterdam

August 22 and 23 2009

After "Public Library" and "Turkish Snack bar" the last episode of "Opening Soon / Opening Now" accessible to the public will take place on August 22 and 23. This time the former brothel on Korsjespoortsteeg 23 will become a public swimming pool.
For two days all ages are welcome to recreate in a unique swimming pool, under supervision of professional bath superintendents.

The swimming pool at the ground floor is for recreation, instruction and competition according to the timetable below. Bring your swimsuit and towel and drop by for some aquarobic, maternity swimming or recreational swimming. Seperate changing rooms and lockers are available on the upper floors.

Location: Korsjespoortsteeg 23 (A street between Herengracht and Singel, two bridges from Amsterdam Central Station)

Opening hours: from 8 am until 8 pm

"Opening Soon / Opening Now"

"Opening Soon / Opening Now" is the title of a year project Laurence Aëgerter is developing for RED A.I.R. Korsjespoortsteeg 23 was originally assigned to Aëgerter as a studio. She chose not to use the space as a studio however, but as a place to question her role as an artist in the city's political plans of gentrification in Amsterdam. To research the transitional character of the location, in between brothel and renovated house, she has applied 8 new public and semi-public functions to the space. Some of the episodes were private performances and installations. 

The episodes of "Opening Soon / Opening Now":

"Public Library"
"Golf Club"
"Institute for Cultural Remembrance and Mnemonic Practices"
"Turkish Snack bar"
"Agnostic Temple"
"Symposium for Urban Investment"
"Public Swimming Pool"
"New Wing Anne Frank Museum"

The final presentation of RED A.I.R. will take place on September 25-27. At this occasion Laurence Aëgerter will present a database of "Opening Soon / Opening Now" in an artist book and an installation. Aëgerter has also made a series of eight photographs in connection with the project.

Posters

A series of posters was developed for "Opening Soon / Opening Now" in collaboration with graphic designer Jennifer Skupin. These posters play a central part in the project. The posters inform the passers-by and emphasize the building's continual transformation by graphically showing the sequence of its different functions. Current information is alternately revealed. The series of 18 posters has been made into an edition of silkscreen prints.

"Public Swimming Pool" is realized with support of AFK and Fonds BKVB. With special thanks to Het Marnixbad.