Blauwhaus is an artist-run initiative by multidisciplinary artist Wim Wauman in collaboration with animation film maker and illustrator Isabel Bouttens.

Blauwhaus explores local histories and unique features, integrating them into our projects. We focus on long-term artistic collaborations, using context-driven approaches to inspire, unlock potential, and shape creative, multidisciplinary concepts with arts and crafts.

Several artworks in the ‘portfolio’ section were created in collaboration with friends and guest artists or makers such as Madeleine Wermenbol and Kelly Schacht. Other portfolio posts feature artworks created in the context of Blauwhaus ‘artist residency’ or ‘exhibition’ projects by guests such as Warre Mulder or Robbert & Frank Frank & Robbert.

EXTENDED INTRODUCTION:

“Blauwhaus” is an experimental and complex concept conceived in 2019 by artist Wim Wauman as the conclusion of his artistic research PhD-project on the complementary trio Arts, Apes and Crafts and as an answer to the fundamental questions raised by his preceding WORKFLOW project (2018).

Initially, the Blauwhaus constituted an installation/exhibition designed to host, ‘connect’ and collaborate with fellow artists, makers and thinkers, but it also encompassed a phantasmagorical ‘twilight zone’ created to induce an enhanced state of (creative) ‘flow’ and to stimulate imaginative forces. A dreamy mental space to conduct DeepResearch®, to approach the daily reality from different perspectives, to inspire others (or drag them in) and to stimulate new narratives and poetic thoughts.

During the spring of 2019, and ‘within walking distance’ from a charming castle in Waasmunster (Eastern Flanders, BE), which was for the occasion renamed ‘Blauwhaus’, the artist and his ‘dreamteam’ of guests collaborated to produce new work and set up a series of artistic interventions and events including a pop-up exhibition/guided walk. The project involved the exploration and extrapolation of local features and histories involving a mermaid holding a turnip, an abbey by Dom Hans van der Laan, ‘Sole Mio’ blankets, pilgrims, two (or three?) birds and two historical artefacts depicting a ‘Waesmonster’…

The name Blauwhaus is a neologism which refers to the Blauwendael castle; to the Bauhaus which was established exactly 100 years earlier by architect Walter Gropius in Weimar (DE); and gives a nod at the Red House in London (UK) where William Morris surrounded himself with the pre-Raphaelite-circle.