Dutch art foundation, Stichting Over Holland, has promised to donate a roughly €800,000 piece of art to an American museum — but only if Americans elect Kamala Harris.
According to the NRC, this isn’t the first time that “Stichting Over Holland” has got involved in US politics.
The organisation previously donated two works of art to Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art in 2017, to honour former President Barack and former first lady Michelle Obama’s championing of human rights, social equality, and education.
A puzzling ad
Last Sunday, the Dutch art foundation placed a two-page advertisement in The New York Times.
The ad’s copy reads: “The next election is here: will the glass crack? Will freedom and democracy prevail? Will you color the puzzle blue with your vote?”
Designed by Dutch artist Irma Boom, it also featured a picture of the promised artwork — artist David Hammons’ “Puzzling Times”.
Apparently, the foundation chose it because of its perceived relevance to the current election.
Influencing US politics
To the foundation, this is a political action: they want to use their platform to oppose the Republican party, one expensive ad at a time.
In October 2017, early into Trump’s presidency, the foundation purchased two double-page ads in two weeks, announcing their donation of two precious artworks to the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago).
These gifts were intended to pay homage to Barack and Michelle Obama, who the ads described as a man and a woman “who changed a nation,” respectively.
Stichting Over who?
Who’s behind this eccentric move, you might wonder? 🤔
The Stichting Over Holland was founded by former entrepreneur Jan Christiaan Braun, who in 1987 purchased a villa on Amsterdam’s Museumplein and opened the Museum Overholland, which initially featured works from his private collection.
READ MORE | The museum town of the Netherlands: 14 great museums to visit in Leiden
Quite the controversial character, Braun made the news multiple times — for instance, in 1990, by closing his museum as abruptly as he had opened it after a quarrel with the Amsterdam authorities.
He is also known for refusing to talk to journalists, preferring other methods of expressing his ideas to the public — such as €1 million ad gimmicks, apparently.
What do you think of Stichting Over Holland’s expensive stunt? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 🫶
Image: Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons/CC2.0