Subjective mapping of Groningen
October 2024 – April 2026
At the invitation of art space ARTisBOOK, a diverse group of Groningers is mapping what it means to feel at home in the province of Groningen. From October 2024 to April 2026, they will collaboratively create the Subjective Atlas of Groningen, capturing and visualizing personal—but often invisible—experiences of different resident groups. The mappings are developed through partnerships with various organizations that are inviting their communities to take part in this collective exploration. These include Academie Minerva, St. Willibrordus Primary School (Oude Pekela), Oudeschip Village Association, Kraaienest (Groningen), and Stichting De Vrolijkheid (Delfzijl AZC).
Workshop, Groningen, October 2024. Participants developing alternative maps and flags for Groningen. (Photography: Lydia Tekatoglou)
The project began with a master workshop, where ARTisBOOK, Annelys de Vet, and partner organizations adapted the Subjective Atlases methodology to Groningen’s unique context. A public event followed, introducing the project and gathering initial ideas.
Over the next year, around 80 participants will take part in workshops, creatively exploring what “being at home” in Groningen means to them. Through these sessions, they will reflect on personal themes and contribute visual works. Their contributions will then be woven into a cohesive atlas, refined with feedback from participants and partners to capture the diversity of lived experiences.
Public exhibitions and participatory events across the province will keep the project visible both physically and online. The journey will culminate in a celebratory launch in 2026, where participants will share their contributions and mark the completion of the Subjective Atlas of Groningen.
October 3, 2024, Annelys de Vet gave a lecture to kick off the Subjective Atlas of Groningen at the Groene Zaal, Academie Minerva. Organized by ARTisBOOK, the lecture introduced the project’s methodology and its adaptation to Groningen’s context, exploring what it means to be "at home" in the province. Moderated by Sherlock Telgt, the event marked the start of a series of workshops and public activities aimed at sharing diverse local experiences.
Acknowledgements
The Subjective Atlas of Groningen is generously supported by Kunstraad Groningen, Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie and Provincie Groningen
