About us

De Spullenmannen make visual theatre and theatrical installations. They share a fascination for old 'spullen', Dutch for 'things' or 'stuff'. With lost-and-founds and scrap yard parts they developed their own specific visual language, which they put to use in theatre productions, performance and standalone contraptions. The Spullenmen do not aim for one genre or discipline of arts, but instead seek for the shape that a specific idea needs. In this way a very diverse audience is addressed, both in the Netherlands and abroad. The artistic core consists of Diana Wildschut and Harmen Zijp. Collaboration with other artists is sought on a per project basis.

Method

The Spullenmen use art as a research tool to explore a certain idea. It is often about a societal theme, about how our society functions or could function. Sometimes it is an exploration of an absurd world. The audience is taken adrift in this journey, as early as during the making of the performance in very early try-outs and presentations of work in progress.

De WAR

Alongside their artistic work De Spullenmannen have since 2007 been building De WAR, a laboratory for society. A number of initiatives was born in their workshop: the first grass roots FabLab in the world, the Coöperative University of Amersfoort and many initiatives in the field of art and sustainability. These initiatives have in common that they focus on societal value and are supported by networks of individuals.
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