Frank Koolen will be working in cooperation with fellow artist Kasper jacobs.

The work of Kasper Jacobs and Frank Koolen can be defined as antropology of the everyday. It’s not framed by a medium or theme but by a dynamical process related style of working in which thorough research encounters playfull improvisation. With shared interests ranging from sub-cultures, social interaction, unexpected logics, the natural side of culture and the cultural side of nature they, self-evidently, create an atmosphere of focused freedom. Having worked together on many projects before, this residency at IBB will be their first full collaboration.

The starting point of Play Curaçao comes from a fundamental interest of both Frank Koolen and Kasper Jacobs in constructions of ritual and games of different subcultures. Games, social rituals and ways to deal with spare time can tell a lot about developments in culture and how it deals with its surroundings. It can mirror the tolerance level, project historical occurrences and deal with social issues in of a society. At the same time these games and rituals show very specific creativity that is related to the local circumstances. and therefore show unique ways of expression. By combining the cinematographic side of Play Curaçao with screenings and lectures, therefore addressing the issues from different angles, we create new possibilities for discussion.

Frank Koolen (1978, Maastricht, NL) Studied at the HKU in Utrecht, De Ateliers and De Rijksakademie, both in Amsterdam. Kasper Jacobs (1981, Bergen, NL) studied at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam.

Frank and Kasper have maintained a blog during their stay on curacao. You can find it here: http://playcuracao.wordpress.com