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.










The Volunteering Zines
Research trip USA public and self-organised libraries
In oktober 2018 reisde Olthof door de VS, langs ruim vijftien bibliotheken met als doel inspiratie op te doen voor de Nederlandse context. Ze sprak verschillende initiatiefnemers en kunstenaars en leerde zo veel over hoe bibliotheken curatoren hebben die artist-in-residencies organiseren, waarmee kunst een onderdeel wordt van de publieke functie. Kunst en burgerschap worden verweven in deze ‘true public spaces’ waar de kunsten en literatuur maatschappelijke functies hebben.
Perpustakaan Umum… (Public Library of)
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 Merapi
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.