Completion of the Despensa i Pordon project
On Wednesday evening, September 2nd, Curacao Art held the conclusion of ‘Despensa i Pordon’ by screening two documentaries on the project.
Visual art exhibition
The starting point of this project was the Netherlands’ apologies for its role in the history of slavery, expressed by Prime Minister Rutte in December 2022 with the words ‘Awe mi ta pidi diskulpa’ (Today I apologize) and reaffirmed by King Willem-Alexander in 2023. These apologies marked a turning point. For the first time, something long denied or silenced was openly acknowledged.
Artists are often at the forefront of envisioning change. They imagine what does not yet exist. For this reason, Curacao Art invited 19 artists to create their vision of Curacao in the year 2035. Each artist created two works: one in their own style and medium, and another designed specifically for people with visual impairments.
The exhibition took place at The Curacao Museum from October 2nd, 2025, to January 10th, 2026. The project was curated by art historian Josée Thissen-Rojer and art advisor Sinuhe Oomen.
Collaborating Artists
The following artists collaborated on the project: 7.1 Giovanni Abath, Papy Adriana, Vesuhely Americaan, Lara Bonomo, Alejandra Cijntje, Avantia Damberg, Kerr (Sè) de Lanooi, Gino Martina, Ashley Mauricia, Ans Mezas Hummelink, Erica Obersi (EVO), Morgaine Parris, Hector Ceferino Raphaela, Suzet Rosaria, Brett Russel, Shartella Santiago, Omar Sling, Andrew Thodé, and Merly Trappenberg.
Curacao Art asked two young filmmakers to document the process: Ralph Winedt and Refael Kariodimedjo.
Ralph Winedt
Ralph Winedt made the first documentary which covers the start of the project at the Cathedral of Thorns with an informational session, followed by the workshops organized by, and held at NAAM. These sessions were guided by Dimitri Cloose, who gave the artists a course with in-depth knowledge of our island’s colonial period and the aftermath. Ralph Winedt added short interviews with the artists at the end of the workshops. These resulted in a valuable addition to his report.
Refael Kariodimedjo
The next phase, the exhibition, was documented by Refael Kariodimedjo. He began filming when the artists brought their works to the museum, and continued through the opening night.
There were several events such as the mornings when the visually impaired visited, the announcement of recognition for ‘outstanding artistic contribution’, the publication of the catalog, and the presentation of six of the artworks at the Governor’s palace for his New Year’s reception. His documentary gives an overview of these events.
Documenting a temporary exhibition
The two documentaries and a report by ‘Nos País’ are available on our YouTube channel. Together with the catalog, and the information on Curacao Art’s social media, we feel that the information is well documented and remains available for viewing, inspiration, and discussion of the important historic apologies by the Netherlands.
For this project Curacao Art received funding from the following organizations: Comité Slavernij Herdenking, Het Cultuurfonds, The Curacao Museum and the Vertegenwoordiging van Nederland in Aruba, Curacao en St. Maarten.
See also the post on the opening of the exhibition in October 2025, click this link.
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