Come Closer: Archive Session – On Ephemeral Gatherings

As the Oude Kerk is developing its own archive into an 'open archive' in the upcoming years, two editions of Come Closer focused on archiving and challenges you may encounter in that process. Come Closer was a series of performance programs in the Oude Kerk, developed in and around the specific artistic interventions inhabiting the space. Artists, musicians, researchers and visitors together explore an underexposed past, alternative versions of the present and possible futures. Curated by Radna Rumping, the Come Closers took the form of intimate evenings, where visitors and artists explore the sonic space of the Oude Kerk with dance, performance and deep listening exercises.

The hundreds of tombstones, the permanent works of art and the monumental interior have been well mapped out. But how can the recent history of the Oude Kerk – with temporary large-scale interventions by contemporary artists and a program of performances and concerts – be added to this? During the Archive Sessions, we delved deeper into challenges surrounding archiving, with contributions from various artists and researchers speaking from their own experiences. The programs lasted about an hour, with the possibility to exchange ideas and visit de Oude Kerk afterwards. This first Archive Session 'On Ephemeral Gatherings' was not about archiving objects but focused on gatherings that are temporary and ephemeral. The Oude Kerk has been a place of gathering for over 700 years, used by all kinds of groups of people in very different ways. How can the archive do justice to this intangible heritage, referring to the use of a place?

Speakers Megan Hoetger and Amal Alhaag - who are both active researchers and curators - shared their ideas on archiving gatherings. For instance, Megan Hoetger has done extensive research on experimental film screenings - focusing not so much on the film itself but rather on the setting of the screening (the audience, the location, the circulation of the invitation). Among other things, Amal Alhaag looked back at her initiative the Side Room (Amsterdam, 2013-2016, in collaboration with Maria Guggenbichler) - a space where informal gatherings and relationships were central. The place is no more but how does the Side Room's legacy remain alive and how does Amal archive her own multifaceted practice?

After an introduction by curators Radna Rumping and Marianna van der Zwaag, Megan Hoetger's presentation took place: "Performances of Cinema and Other Infrastructural Musings" - including a film clip by Kurt Kren. This was followed by a screening of the film Side Room Manifesto, which Side Room published online after their existence. Maria Guggenbichler had recorded a voice message from Germany for the evening in which she looked back on the Side Room, and the friendships and relationships that had developed there. Amal Alhaag closed the programme with a series of notes and thoughts on archiving. This was followed by a panel discussion where the audience could also ask questions. There is an audio recording of the entire programme. Afterwards, people could exchange views over drinks and browse through various publications, including the Side Room's printed pamphlets.