Contemporary perception
Today we celebrate freedom. Or should I say 'remember'? That word seems more appropriate to me in the context of today’s Russian aggression: tomorrow, freedom may turn out to be a thing of the past and the conversation between people who look at the world differently may be silenced. And it is dialogue that moves the world forward. Visual communication and the conversation about how we perceive the world.
Noorderlicht is a platform for contemporary observation. As is stated in our brand-new mission statement. That one sentence contains just about everything that is Noorderlicht. Our program includes artistic visual interpretations of today’s world. We hope they help us navigate the dynamic landscape of today’s visual mass communication, which is extremely complicated, complex and confusing. That has not become any easier with the war in Ukraine and all the images we are shown.
Where do these images come from? How should we interpret them? Do they stand for the story that is being told? In other words: How are we supposed to read all those images? By showing the work of professional visual artists, but also by telling the story behind it, Noorderlicht tries to contribute to our visual literacy. We need that literacy in order to be able to form our opinion and to be able to continue the conversation with each other. In all its diversity and in complete freedom.
Kees van der Meiden
director Noorderlicht
