In honor of 10 years of Volkshotel, you started working on a very unique project: in addition to a design on our chalkboard, you also made a miniature Volkshotel from paper mache.
Can you explain how you came up with the idea?
Anouschka: I was busy with paper mache dioramas and saw all kinds of objects as potential dollhouses, including the glass cabinet opposite the reception. In addition, Jasmijn and I often had conversations with people from the Broedplaats about the need to have drinks more often and to be creative together more often for fun instead of for work. This is how the paper mache drinks on Friday came about.
How are both projects connected?
Jasmijn: Both projects celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Volkshotel, each in their own way. In the miniature hotel you can clearly see what characterizes the Volkshotel on a daily basis: that the cafe, the workshop, Canvas, Doka and the hotel run together in a very organic way. In the mural I wanted to emphasize the party and the fact that it has worked so well for ten years. We have hung miniature objects over the mural that symbolize the various functions of the Volkshotel. A suitcase, a cup, a disco ball, a bottle of wine.
How did you approach the making?
Anouschka: Jasmijn and I made a design and a mood board together so that participants (people from the incubator, Volkshotel employees and visitors) could choose what they wanted to make. People would walk around the hotel and look for furniture and small details. They often chose an object that they themselves had an affinity with, for example an ex-barista made the coffee machine. People somehow become very enthusiastic about the recognizable world in miniature form. We had planned 2.5 hours for the drinks, but they soon took twice as long. I think this is also because it is nice to get to know people over drinks, but it is also nice to be able to do something at the same time.
What can we expect from the small edition of the hotel? Which familiar details will we see again anyway?
All kinds of recognizable details and a few people can be found from the workshop, a hotel room, canvas and Badplaats. From the red velvet cake in the display case, the cushion on the leather sofa to the hot tubs on the roof and the liquor bottles in canvas. You can stand in front of the miniature hotel and play spot the difference.
Anouschka, you often work with paper mache. What makes you so excited about this material?
Anouschka: Paper mache as a material has a kind of uncomfortable messiness in it that motivates you to let go of your perfectionism a bit. I previously made a paper mache protest parade (titled Polarisaampie) with children for the Amsterdam Museum. That was my favorite project of 2023 and I was very curious whether the humor and recognisability of paper mache miniatures would also work with adults. The answer is yes and I am very proud of everyone!
Jasmijn, where do we mainly see your creative signature?
Jasmijn: My creative signature is mainly in the mural. My work is often quite sleek and readable in execution, but also elegant and suggestive. I wanted a festive and ‘proud’ atmosphere in the drawing, because ten years is of course not nothing. Anouschka and I looked up what color a ten-year wedding anniversary would be: a ’tin wedding’. That is why the letters, streamers and objects have become pewter (or perhaps actually silver) colored. In the background you can see fragments of the building in red details, just like in the Volkshotel itself.
How/where/when can one come and see the result?
From Friday, June 14, the mini Volkshotel can be viewed in the display cabinet opposite the reception.
