Ode to the Hare

Renée Koldewijn | Ode to the Hare | public space interactive project | 2014

Text Dorette Evers, Kunsthek Amsterdam, 2014

The tales of the hare, originally from Senegal, have always been an inspiration to Renée Koldewijn. The African hare, an inquisitive and open-minded animal, symbolises the explorations of man in search of his identity. For the renewed Art Fence of the Oosterpark in Amsterdam Koldewijn created a series of colorful hares. People of different cultures meet in this park. A referral to African dancers and the mysterious Brasilian capoeiristas. Koldewijn created a photographic narration about these arts: dancing or fighting? A fight hidden in a dance, a survival strategy of Africans enslaved in Brasil. Koldewijn spent years on photography and filming people playing capoeira in the Oosterpark. The hares refer to these sessions in the park.

The Art Fence has been renovated which requires an exposition of Ode to the Hare by Renée Koldewijn. This Amsterdam artist is fascinated by hares, African hares that is. A celebration at the street of diversity.