18 April 2026
In response to global calls for the restitution of objects, some of the central questions that have emerged in our institution include: What does “care” mean in relation to collections in times of restitution? How do we include community expertise and voices, either from countries of origin or diaspora communities, in how we care for these collections? How do we care for collections that were previously conserved with poisonous materials?
Restitution presents some of the challenges but also opportunities for thinking through ways in which to care for collections, which often entails their return. Moroever, restitution has also prompted us to think about what restitution means beyond return, and what happens once there has been return, how one still need to tend the rupture of an object taken from its home. It is in view of these questions that we are pleased to organize the Beyond Provenance: Restitution Seen Through Artistic Collaboration event in collaboration with WYSIWYG Cinema.
Focusing on three recently restituted artefacts, each with distinct histories and uses, Indonesian and Netherlands-based artist duos have created three compelling and contrasting video works. Together, these films invite audiences to reflect and imagine. This event marks the first time all Indonesian artists will be present in the Netherlands, joining their Netherlands-based collaborators to watch the films alongside the audience. Following the screenings, a conversation will open up space for shared experiences and reflection on repatriation and restitution and how artistic practices can contribute to these unfinished dialogues.
