An Institute that Could Make a Difference

Let me start with some context. Recently, I found a job announcement for a new director of the Nieuwe Instituut, the controversial yet versatile museum+national archive+debate center in Rotterdam. As the last director of this institute's legal predecessor, the Netherlands Architecture Institute, and forced into exile as a result of the neo-liberal government enforced merger in 2013, I though I have a few credentials to share some clues for any potential application letter soliciting this job. Here they come...

There is a planet to save. A living environment to cherish. A society to integrate. Communities to support. A housing shortage to address. First and foremost, we are in desperate need of peace and mutual respect. Few disciplines are more suited to contribute to all of this than architecture and design, with their intrinsic purpose to resolve issues regarding all of the above. From an affordable house for John and Jane Doe, to building new nations out of the moral implosion we witness today.

Imagine…

This #institute recognizes its lifeline—the goodwill and precious euros of #Dutch taxpayers—and uses its budget in the name and interest of the people. Imagine it taking full responsibility and developing ideas for its territory on all scales: from pixels to geology, from local highlights to international context.

This institute seizes its unique role as #mediator—not only between past, present, and future, but also between the various currents of Dutch culture: from long term communities to the fresh breezes of vitality brought by newcomers—melting into a vibrant mix of voices and ideas to shape the future, and embodying a message of peace as an act of creativity in turbulent times.

This institute leverages its critical mass as one of the larger cultural organizations in the world, raise its voice against incompetence, fear or bad faith, and lead the way to a positive #agenda for action on all fronts of design.

This institute recalibrates the power of its network and its international mandate, taking a stance in the dwindling role and authority of The #Netherlands, #Europe, and yes, the entire #West, in helping to redefine what we should understand by “humanity”.

This institute rallies the incredible #expertise of its staff around a unifying agenda with a larger purpose than just catering to the micro-interests of various peer groups into which Dutch #design has fallen.

Imagine, this institute designs a new role for design itself—an #architecture of architecture—that brings those disciplines back to the social mandate they once had, embodied in and exemplified by the countless marvels in the institute’s own collection.

As far as I’m concerned, these are clues that matter. I wish this beautiful institute a smashingly successful recruitment of its artistic leadership.