Comments on: A lady of a certain age http://thekitchen.vanabbe.nl/2009/12/12/a-lady-of-a-certain-age/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-lady-of-a-certain-age This is a blog dedicated to the museum musings of the guest curators, invited by the Van Abbemuseum, to work (and play) within the context of the permanent collection and other museum projects. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:11:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Clare http://thekitchen.vanabbe.nl/2009/12/12/a-lady-of-a-certain-age/#comment-2865 Clare Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:04:03 +0000 http://thekitchen.vanabbe.nl/?p=526#comment-2865 I'm not sure if the last comment was intended with seriousness or irony. I am however very wary of this term 'Tolerance'. Earlier this year we came across a Gutenburg Press book from the 15th or 16th Century, it summarised the world as it was then - by nation - the Germans, the British, the French, the Dutch...and the Dutch were defined, even then, by this 'tolerance'. It surprised me, not being completely familiar with the Netherlands' multi-national history. However, it got me thinking. How has it managed to maintain this reputation beyond the 1960s and into the 90s and 2010s when the playing out of migration and nationhood have radically changed goalposts? The 'verzuiling' of a society means that we can easily run for the touchdown, commiserate over a defeat, or hold rallying pep talks in the lockerroom (just to flog a literary image here) - but all within our own team, our own pillar. The protective helmets, shin guards and tactics around us keep us from directly encountering other teams, or even subsections of the same team (defense, attack, coach, waterboy). Don't get me wrong, I'm all in favour of the equalising capacity of a good Haynes-ian Sunday Dinner, but this empathy idea - the ability to physically feel the situation of another - can only come with an active effort for understanding. However misguided or presumptuous that might end up being on our part, that's where the generosity is. That's the playing field we're on in the first place. http://distributedcreativity.typepad.com/reading_group/2005/10/what_we_want_is.html I’m not sure if the last comment was intended with seriousness or irony. I am however very wary of this term ‘Tolerance’. Earlier this year we came across a Gutenburg Press book from the 15th or 16th Century, it summarised the world as it was then – by nation – the Germans, the British, the French, the Dutch…and the Dutch were defined, even then, by this ‘tolerance’. It surprised me, not being completely familiar with the Netherlands’ multi-national history. However, it got me thinking. How has it managed to maintain this reputation beyond the 1960s and into the 90s and 2010s when the playing out of migration and nationhood have radically changed goalposts? The ‘verzuiling’ of a society means that we can easily run for the touchdown, commiserate over a defeat, or hold rallying pep talks in the lockerroom (just to flog a literary image here) – but all within our own team, our own pillar. The protective helmets, shin guards and tactics around us keep us from directly encountering other teams, or even subsections of the same team (defense, attack, coach, waterboy). Don’t get me wrong, I’m all in favour of the equalising capacity of a good Haynes-ian Sunday Dinner, but this empathy idea – the ability to physically feel the situation of another – can only come with an active effort for understanding. However misguided or presumptuous that might end up being on our part, that’s where the generosity is. That’s the playing field we’re on in the first place.

http://distributedcreativity.typepad.com/reading_group/2005/10/what_we_want_is.html

]]> By: Kate Taylor http://thekitchen.vanabbe.nl/2009/12/12/a-lady-of-a-certain-age/#comment-2794 Kate Taylor Sun, 13 Dec 2009 04:04:41 +0000 http://thekitchen.vanabbe.nl/?p=526#comment-2794 “I have long believed that it is unnecessary to understand others, individuals or nationalities; one must, at the very least, simply tolerate others. Tolerance can lead to respect and, finally, to love. No one can ever really understand anyone else, but you can love them or at least accept them. “ And Jim Haynes should know. Meanwhile… http://tinyurl.com/blee6w “I have long believed that it is unnecessary to understand others, individuals or nationalities; one must, at the very least, simply tolerate others. Tolerance can lead to respect and, finally, to love. No one can ever really understand anyone else, but you can love them or at least accept them. “

And Jim Haynes should know.

Meanwhile… http://tinyurl.com/blee6w

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