On the banks of the Waal, a man looks across the river. The other side beckons, stirring thoughts and dreams. Across the water, someone is looking back. Each has the other’s village in their view. Two strangers, two different lives, perhaps sharing the same memories, thoughts and desires. Aan Weerszijden brings them into dialogue.
AAN WEERSZIJDEN (2017)
Herwijnen en Zuilichem (NL) : 60’
Aan Weerszijden explores the river Waal and the different perspectives and experiences of the people living on either side of it. Herwijnen and Zuilichem are two villages that face each other across the river. Once, a ferry connected the two villages, and it was not uncommon for men from Herwijnen to marry women from Zuilichem. Today, the river forms a natural boundary, separating the two banks and, in a sense, the villages themselves.
Based on conversations with three generations of residents from both sides of the river, we bring the villages back into contact through stories, music and a live video connection. What memories do they share? How do they see each other, and how do they see themselves? And how does the river shape their lives?
Performers from Herwijnen: Dittie van Zee–van Arendonk, Jaap de Kock, Henk van der Meijden, Dies van der Meijden, Arrissa Wigmans, Riet Donker, Govertine van Zandwijk, Joni van Zee
Men’s Choir of the Historical Society Den Ouden Dijk Herwijnen, conducted by Wim de Joode: Jaap de Kock, Aart Blom, Hans van Arendonk, Atje van Arendonk, Jaap van Arkel, Atje Blom, Anne de Bruin, Govert van Zee F.Zn, Govert van Zee H.Zn, Gijs Bok, Ton Hanegraaf, Hans van Burk, Gerard de Bruin, Joop Kwakenaak, Appi Bok, Rien van Zomeren, Gerard Blom, Bart van Zandwijk, Jan van de Wijngaard
With the participation of: CBS Herwijnen, School met de Bijbel Zuilichem, Vrouwen van Nu, and others.
Aan Weerszijden is a project by DnA, art projects in unique locations, and P22.
Concept and Artistic Direction: DnA-kunstprojecten; Danielle van Vree and Aart Jilesen Text and Direction: Danielle van Vree Design and Education: Aart Jilesen Organisation and Production: P22Composition: Ben Lammerts van Bueren Video and Sound Technology: MTS audiovisueel Performers: Huug van Tienhoven, Roos Hoogland
Performers from Zuilichem: Ryan de Block, Ellen Walter, Dies Grandia van der Maas, Lenie van Mourik, Adri Hooijkaas, Piet van Wesemael, Arie van der Ven, Mathijs Mombers, Jacques Mombers, Eszti Bambacht, Alie van den Steen
Zuilichem Drum and Street Band: Ada Schreuders, Jielis Schreuders, Erwin Boomsma, Jolinda Verwoert, Henriëtte van Pouderoijen, Jayan vd Steenhoven, Trijstan Kanselaar, Carola Burghout, Machiel den Otter, Iona Kanselaar
photos: Nils Kenninck