“Get out of your skull” is a collaborative art project with the participation of an international group of 64 artists from 20 countries. Last year when much of the world shut down galleries, artists were dealt a serious blow when it came to their practices. The arts are integral to the social, civic, and economic wellbeing and vitality of our global landscape. The turmoil that plagued many artists to an array of mental challenges left them “stuck in their head”. Artist, Ron Weijers of the Netherlands, founder of 10dence galleries and curator for the “get out of your skull” project, was a perfect antidote for head fog. Weijers disseminated over one hundred “plastic” heads around the globe to galvanize creativity in a time of great despair. “It is a corona proof, artists for artists initiative,” Weijers remarks in response to this project. “The development and organization of this project is intended to bring together an international group of artists during the currently ongoing Covid-19 pandemic with all its restrictions and problematic effects on the individual art practices and the international art world.” The aim of the project is primarily to provide a positive vibe, to stimulate creative processes, to provide a psychological boost, to create a possibility to communicate and to network, and to generate some light at the end of this Covid tunnel during these darkened times.
HAF: Ron, I want to congratulate you on your success with the “get out of your head” European tour. There are some rather amazing embellished skulls in this collection. Tell me a little about how you selected the artists for this project?
Ron: We worked with an open call for the “get out of your head” project. We received 125 submissions for participation, and the first selection was made on professionalism and quality. Furthermore, I selected conceptual originality. We wanted an internationally diverse group of artists. The display unit we used for this project allowed me to select 64 artists. It took around a month to finalize the selection process.
HAF: Ron, the “get out of your head” project toured Europe; to Belgium, France, and soon to the Netherlands. How has the project been received by the public?
Ron: The “get out of your head” project in Ghent welcomed over 500 visitors over a time frame of two weeks. The project has been received very well and with understanding by the public. The diversity of the skulls produced by this international group of artists received a wonderful reaction. The display cases acted like a mesmerizing scenery that intrigued many people to stay and stand in front of the art, and discover new details continuously; an overall warm response to the project.
HAF: In your opinion, what impact has Covid-19 had on this project overall?
Ron: Organization of this project, due to the restrictions and negative effects on art practices worldwide from the covid 19 pandemic, was one of the best experiences to absorb.
Weijers conveyed that the public response to the project at the La Providence in Ille sur Tet in the South of France was also warm and receptive by over 350 visitors. The next venue will take place, October 15, at By Brandehorst in Dordrecht in the Netherlands, and runs till November 7.
“Get out of your skull” will continue with venues in January in Amsterdam at Arti et Amicitiae art foundation right in the middle of the center of Amsterdam and in February the project will conclude its tour at de Leutfabriek in Sas van Gent in the Netherlands. “We have been blessed as well with the attention of local, regional, and national press agencies for this project,” Weijers adds.
featured skull by artist Peter Hess, USA – scrap skull wood, 27 x 21 x 20″
