AUDIO EXPERIENCE
Text – Rossel Chaslie
Sound Design – Randy Giersthove (@KaRaī)
The Bijlmer Renaissance
The Bijlmer Renaissance explores the resilience, diversity, and vibrancy of the Bijlmer neighborhood in Amsterdam. Through interconnected drawings, this illustration pays tribute to the residents, architecture, and evolving identity of this unique urban space.
From the elders who have witnessed the neighborhood’s changing face to the young creatives defining its future. This work combines moments of daily life with symbols of social movements and cultural pride. The illustration invites viewers to consider how the Bijlmer, often marginalized, has continually redefined itself as a space of belonging and transformation.
During the 1970s and 80s, the Bijlmer became home to immigrants, primarily from Suriname, Ghana, Nigeria, and other parts of the African diaspora, alongside other marginalized communities. This influx transformed the Bijlmer into one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in the Netherlands. Its residents brought with them rich cultural traditions, that contributed to the vibrant social fabric that is celebrated today.
The illustrations’ composition reflects the neighborhood’s history, people, and transformative experiences, including the devastating 1992 plane crash. In the drawing, we see figures holding one another, comforting gestures, and intergenerational groups symbolizing the communal support that blossomed in the aftermath.
In moments of joy, struggle, and recovery, the Bijlmer community continually reshapes its identity. They have found ways to persevere and celebrate life amid adversity. This drawing captures a vibrant and layered urban landscape, illustrating both past and present, a testimony to the Bijlmer’s resilience and cultural pride.