Human Activities

This cooperation of Congolese plantation workers develops new economic initiatives based on the production and sale of critical art. Through the launch of a creative economy, it aims to improve the economic position of its members and their communities.

With Commonland we develop with the plantation workers of the CATPC a new model for landscape restoration on the former plantations in Lusanga, based on the “4 returns approach” that comprised a Return of inspiration, Return of social capital, Return of natural capital and Return of financial capital.

The Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) is responsible for designing the main infrastructure for the research center on the plantation in three subsequent stages, offering their services pro bono. Kinshasa-based JLP Concept is the executive architect of the project.

Van Abbemuseum

The Van Abbemuseum is artistic partner and advisor to Human Activities and co-develops the artistic program on the settlement. Human Activities has exhibited works from the Van Abbemuseum’s collection in Congo and the museum has shown CATPC sculptures at the Van Abbemuseum.

Pieter van Huystee Film & TV, VPRO and Intifilms

Pieter van Huystee Film & TV, VPRO, Intifilms and several other European broadcasters are developing with Human Activities numerous films and videos, including White Cube (2020), and Plantations and Museums (2021).

KASK Hogeschool Gent

Human Activities is a four-year research program at KASK – School of Arts in Ghent. The Ghent University Association contributes to the operating budget, appointed two research assistants and sponsored the redesign of Human Activities’s website. Other then this, the KASK supports the development of an extended publication on the CATPC by editing directors Els Roelandt and Eva Barois De Caevel.

Akademie der Künste der Welt, Cologne

The Akademie der Künste der Welt aims to the create an intercultural dialogue within the arts. Focused on issues such as migration, responsibility, and non-Western art, the art academy is geared toward developing aesthetic processes that break down language barriers. The Academy supports the workshops in Congo.

Chocolonely Foundation

Human Activities has kindly been funded by:

ABN AMRO Culture Fund
AFK – Amsterdam Fund for the Arts
Ambassade de Royaume de Pays-Bas en RDC
The Art of Impact
BesteBuren
Brave New Works
Creative Industries Fund NL
Doen Foundation
Festival de Marseille
Gieskes-Strijbis Fund
KASK – School of Arts in Ghent
Mondriaan Fund
Outset Netherlands
Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds
Prince Claus Fund
Postkodstiftelsen
Stichting Educatie en Cultuur
Stichting Hjoed
Stichting Stokroos
Triodos Foundation
Vlaams ministerie van Cultuur, Media, Jeugd
VLIR-UOS
Turing Foundation