How the barber came to the museum: Last Wednesday, January 19, 2022, more than 70 museums, concert halls and theaters in the Netherlands protested against the ongoing closure of cultural institutions with unusual actions. In this way, the institutions drew attention to the unequal treatment of the cultural sector during the corona pandemic, as stores, hairdressers and gyms remained open. This is how […]

How the barber came to the museum: Last Wednesday, January 19, 2022, more than 70 museums, concert halls and theaters in the Netherlands protested against the ongoing closure of cultural institutions with unusual actions. In this way, the institutions drew attention to the unequal treatment of the cultural sector during the corona pandemic, as stores, hairdressers and gyms remained open.Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum, for example, was transformed into a beauty salon for a day: hashtag #BeautySalonVanGoghMuseum

In particular, the strict ban on cultural events since December 19, 2021 has met with resistance in the Netherlands. To express their protest, numerous museums therefore briefly opened for special events last Wednesday, January 19, 2022. In Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum, for example, nail artists were able to show off their skills, while other museums offered yoga classes, haircuts and manicures. Concert organizers also joined the unusual protest. Without further ado, the venerable Concertgebouw was transformed into a “Kapsalon Concertgebouw”, where you could also have your hair cut during a rehearsal of the symphony orchestra led by conductor Susanna Malkki! An unusual performance that met with great approval from the audience. Charles Ives’ Symphony Number 2 was played. “We don’t understand it and there is no justification for it, because in the last two years we have shown that it is very, very safe to go to a concert or a museum,” emphasized Simon Reinink, the director of the Concertgebouw.

Across the street at the Van Gogh Museum, visitors were offered manicures, beard care and a professional haircut at the same time under the hashtag #BeautySalonVanGoghMuseum , while viewing paintings by Vincent van Gogh. “We want to emphasize that it is safe to visit the museum,” commented Emilie Gordenker, the museum’s director since February 2020. “This is definitely something completely new at the Van Gogh Museum”. The museum director also adds: “More and more people are visiting museums in search of spiritual depth and the meaning of life, among other things. We also need a ‘mental’ gym!”. The area of ‘mental health’ is just as relevant for our museum, especially because of Van Gogh’s own mental state.”

Manicure, beard care and a professional haircut

Many institutions in the capital took part in the protests in this way. They all found it unfair that cultural institutions had to close during the lockdown, while stores, hairdressers and gyms remained open. On January 16, 2022, the one-month lockdown was eased in the Netherlands, allowing hairdressers, gyms and stores to reopen. Cultural institutions, on the other hand, were to remain closed.

Creative resistance on the part of cultural institutions

Gunay Uslu from the Dutch Ministry of Culture showed understanding for the protests, but urged caution. She wrote on Twitter: “There are creative protests on the part of cultural institutions. I understand this cry for help and that artists also want to show all the beautiful things they have to offer us, but the easing of the lockdown must take place step by step. Culture is right at the top of the agenda for us.” The government therefore held out the prospect of any easing of the strict coronavirus measures for January 25, 2022 at the earliest.

Reading tip: As of this week, solo self-employed cultural workers in Germany, including freelance restorers, can apply for Restart Aid 2022. They receive support that is not linked to operating expenses. Applications for Neustarthilfe 2022 in the funding period from January to March are now open. Read more here.

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