The Renovation
For years, it was clear that the goal for which Wendingen was established - to make an inventory of the Amsterdam School in all its diversity - was a great success. By the end of 2020, connoisseurs and enthusiasts had placed over 1700 objects, 260 biographies and almost 250 blogs on the platform. In doing so, we all helped put this exceptional art and architecture movement literally and figuratively on the map. But as the content grew, so did the technology. The now outdated website therefore recently underwent a major and much-needed transformation: a completely new website, with a new look that clearly refers to Hendrik Wijdeveld's innovative typography. (Here more about the transition to Wendingen 2.0 here).
We're not worried about the increase of new articles. Although it has become less of a hail Mary, we know that there are still plenty of gems to be found that deserve a place here as well. In addition, new exhibitions and books continue to appear, to which we will of course continue to pay attention. But we also have a wish list for the near future. However, we can use some financial support. To keep Wendingen going at all, but certainly also to improve it. A contribution - no matter how small - is therefore greatly appreciated. You can do that by making a donation (please mention Wendingen). Thank you very much!
About Wendingen, the platform
On March 6, 2014 in the Scheepvaarthuis in Amsterdam, the starting signal was given for Wendingen, Platform for the Amsterdam School. The website is an initiative of Museum Het Schip, which has been working to put the Amsterdam School on the map since 2001 with the support of the Amsterdam housing corporations.
To make the website a success, the museum relies on the principle of crowd-sourcing: through the platform, connoisseurs and enthusiasts are asked to help make an inventory of the Amsterdam School in its full breadth - from housing block to jewellery and from bridge building to glass art. The editors invite everyone to describe objects from their (immediate) surroundings. The platform makes it easy for enthusiasts to get in touch with like-minded people and professionals from all over the Netherlands. For although the movement derives its name from the capital, examples of the Amsterdam School can be found in all provinces (and even abroad).
For the inventory, the platform cooperates as much as possible with other knowledge institutions and organisations and professionals in the field. Thanks to the efforts of archives, architecture centres, museums and private individuals, a large amount of sources and historical information about the Amsterdam School has already been collected and made available digitally. This information will also be made available through Platform Wendingen and linked to objects, persons and background stories. All Amsterdam School data in one place, that's the goal. Wendingen makes the connections between the various expressions of this influential art movement visible. For what do a villa park in Bergen, water towers in Groningen, textile and glass designs from Rotterdam and a studio house in Geulle in Limburg actually have in common?
Platform Wendingen was developed for Museum Het Schip by Willem Prins (Somtijd) and Wim Jacobs (independent architect and former board member of Museum Het Schip). This unique platform for the Amsterdam School could be realised thanks to the generous contributions of the SNS Reaal Fund and the VSB Fund, the City of Amsterdam and the support of the Amsterdam Federation of Housing Associations (AFWC).
