Eva Olthof

archives - public space - publication - history - DIY

Eva Olthof's (Nijmegen, 1983) work often relies on particular historical contexts she unearths from public archives and libraries. She documents and rearranges the history of specific locations and events through fieldwork, systematic archiving and photographic documentation. In the course of this process of selection, she wilfully submits to coincidence, subjectivity and ambiguity. Once she has fully absorbed these narratives, she translates them into installations, publications and performances. Olthof lives and works in Rotterdam and graduated from the Dutch Art Institute in Arnhem. She worked as an artist in residence at Künstlerhaus Bethanien Berlin, CRAC Valparaíso, Chile and at Cemeti Art House in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. At the moment she focuses on the project Public Library Of - an art project that examines how to make the public library a (more) democratic place by collectively rethinking its current state, through means of art, history, philosophy and publishing.

  • Portfolio
  • Activities
  • Awarded
  • Contact

    • Research trip USA public and self-organized libraries

    Residencies / exchange

    • 05-10-2018 t/m 26-10-2018
    • Location: NYC, Washington DC, Chicago,
    • In October 2018, Olthof traveled through the US, visiting more than fifteen libraries with the aim of gaining inspiration for the Dutch context. She spoke to various initiators and artists and learned so much about how libraries have curators who organize artist-in-residencies, making art part of the public function. Art and citizenship are interwoven in these 'true public spaces' where the arts and literature have social functions.
    • http://evaolthof.nl/

    Perpustakaan Umum… (Public Library of)

    Residencies / exchange

    • 11-12-2017 t/m 17-12-2017
    • In collaboration with: KUNCI cultural studies center, Ruma Baca Komunitas
    • Location: KUNCI cultural studies center, Yogyakarta
    • In many countries the role of public libraries is changing. In Indonesia there has never been a substantial public library system. Self-organized libraries have filled some of these gaps. In what significant political moment(s) did they arise? What impact do libraries have on local communities? Can a library function as a public safe space that is open to different voices? Which tactics are deployed by self-organized libraries to encourage uncensored and unrestricted access to information?

    Frekuensi Merapic

    Exhibition / presentation

    • 01-11-2017 t/m 18-11-2017
    • In collaboration with: Mira Asriningtyas / KUNCI cultural studies center
    • Location: volcano observatory Kaliurang, Yogyakarta
    • Sound installation 57'21'' in loop at the volcano observatory Kaliurang, Yogyakarta A montage of interviews, field recordings, advertisement and handy talky sounds compiled between 2015 and 2017 on Mount Merapi and surroundings. Listening to 'frekuensi Merapi', you tune in to stories related to life on the mountain about forced transmigration, double agendas, cultural adaptation, community radio and resistance.

    Acknowledgments

      Scholarship

    • Travel grant Libraries Den Bosch and Central Brabant, bkkc and Cubiss

    • 2015
      Scholarship

    • Development and Research Grant, Center for Visual Arts

    • 2015
      Scholarship

    • Development and Research Grant, Center for Visual Arts

    • 2016
      Scholarship

    • Development and Research Grant, Center for Visual Arts

    • 2018
      Scholarship

    • Contribution Proven Talent Mondriaan Fund

    • 2019
      Scholarship

    • Development and Research Grant, Center for Visual Arts

    • 2020
      Scholarship

    • Dream & Act makers counter

    • 2021
      Scholarship

      Publication

    • Dear Bieb

    • 2019
    • Zine
    • PrintRoom - Eva Olthof
      Publication

    • Return to Rightful Owner

    • 2015
    • Book
    • Onomatopoeia - Eva Olthof, Doreen Mende
      Publication

    • Do We Ever Know Where History Is Really Made?

    • 2013
    • collection folder stencil printing publications
    • Knust/Extrapool - Eva Olthof together with Jetske de Boer, Patricía Sousa, Marija Šujica & Miek Zwamborn
      Publication

    • El Deformes

    • 2013
    • Newspaper
    • CRAC Valparaiso - Eva Olthof in collaboration with CRAC Valparaiso
      Publication

    • Another Room

    • 2012
    • Publication
    • own management - Eva Olthof, Stefano Faoro & Miek Zwamborn
      Publication

    • I Have Never Seen Volcanoes but when Travelers Tell

    • 2011
    • Publication
    • Dutch Art Institute - Eva Olthof with Peter Delpeut, Siri Driessen & Roman Signer
      Publication

    • Repeating the Archive

    • 2010
    • Publication
    • Schloss Ringenberg - Lieke Wouters
      Publication

    • Public Library Of #1 to #5

    • 2021
    • zine series
    • PrintRoom - Eva Olthof in collaboration with Joke van der Zwaard, Frans Ari Prasetyo, Gabriel Curtin & Agent OH