We take you along Groningen's creative and artistic hotspots. The creatives at these spots will be happy to tell you all about it. Feel free to take your inspiration from them. The striking Wall House #2, for instance, has stood in Groningen's Hoornsemeer district for twenty years. A building ingeniously designed both on the outside and inside. Hanging from the strikingly large wall are three colourful spaces, each with its own function. It accommodates Groningen artists. But just walking in is also possible. Wall House #2 is a work of art in itself, the indoor exhibitions are an extra gift.We spoke to his programmer Gea Schenk on the design, its content and where else to indulge your (artistic) heart in Groningen.
Wonderful residence
''Wall House #2 was designed as an art object and developed further as an architectural icon,'' Gea proudly explains. When you stand in front of the building, you automatically keep staring a bit longer. From whatever angle you look at it. Colourful, futuristic and cuddly. ''Everyone who walks past it turns their head for a moment''. And that's not surprising. It certainly catches the eye. The design by renowned architect John Hejduk dates back to the 1970s. Part of a series of 24 sketches, Wall House #2 was originally intended for the US state of Connecticut. But art is boundless. Thirty years later, the first and only Wall House was built, in Groningen's Hoornsemeer district.
From the outside, the colourful residential floors are somewhat like a face. These spaces appear to be separate from each other, but are suspended from and connected by a huge wall 18.5 metres wide and 14 metres high. Hence the name of the eccentric building. The wall also has a separating effect: every time you go to another space, you have to pass the wall. A kind of transition. A chance to behave differently in each space. And the entrance feels like it's at the back of the building. Again, something unique. But the real surprises are inside. ''Only when you are inside do you see how ingeniously designed the building is''.
" ''Only when you are actually inside do you see how ingeniously designed the building is' ' "
Indoors
Walking up the first staircase, you are greeted by a long corridor. Described by Hejduk as the way from the past to the future. On your right the office, if you walk straight ahead you will enter the kitchen area. Above you the living room, below the bedroom. And although the spaces are not actually lived in, the height of the windows is tailored to their 'function'. In the kitchen you stand, so the windows are placed at eye level. In the living room, you sit and look through the windows from sitting height. And no matter how closely you look, no room has right angles. In this house, no one is in the corner, but we are equal. Everyone is welcome, and when you walk into the bedroom, you look against dozens of portraits. Made by Schenk himself. Faces of the residents of the neighbourhood. ''Wall House #2 is for the neighbourhood, for the Groningers. We want to connect with them, that it becomes an oil slick that keeps growing. That more and more people get in touch with us and with art in general.''
Shelter for art
The residence has never had permanent residents. It did, however, house work by changing artists. In the first years, the art came from artists in residence, artists who temporarily found their workplace there. And for several years now, Wall House #2 has been managed by the Groninger Museum Museum. Every few months the exhibition changes, invariably consisting of local artists. ''Why look for it nationwide, when the most beautiful things are close to home? We hope that Wall House #2 can serve as a springboard. That local art can spread nationally and internationally.''
Tips from Gea
Groningen is where Gea feels at home. ''A kind of big village, where you can strike up conversations with acquaintances and strangers alike. ''A city with a cosy, nice and open atmosphere. With an eye for art and culture.'' She therefore recommends everyone to visit Groningen once or more often. ''I regularly get people visiting the city for a weekend. They are then pleasantly surprised, didn't know it was so beautiful and fun here.'' But even as a Stadjer, there is always something to do here. ''Turn a corner, take a different route when you go somewhere. That's when you really experience the city.''
She also says the mix of young and old is one of the plus points. She sees that reflected in the Forum. ''What a building huh. And also a place that every target group is attracted to.'' She likes to have a bite to eat at Florentin in the Ebbinge Quarter. Not only because of the menu, but also because of the surroundings. ''It's a bit hidden between the houses, but when you're there, the beautiful building stands out.'' To end the day, she does so at a vantage point. Be it the one at the Forum or the one in nature reserve De Onlanden. Magical places. ''Grab your moment of rest here. The view over the Groningen countryside touches me, makes me happy. It makes me proud to live here.''
" ' 'Go around the corner. Then you'll really experience the city' "
