BIOGRAPHY
The artwork of the Amsterdam based van Breest Smallenburg encompasses video, video-installations, site-specific interactive installations and art in public space.
Van Breest Smallenburg’s video and installation works focus on connection on different kinds of levels and are distinguished by their complexity and simplicity at the same time.
Commenting on the video ‘THE WAY’ by van Breest Smallenburg the art writer and Professor at the Halle University of Art in Germany, Dr. Johannes Stahl said:
“The retention of the intelligibility and comprehensibility of the objects, actions and interventions of van Breest Smallenburg touch on profound and fundamental questions, as they can be posed for the domain of images: what difference do the setting and the context make, where do I find myself in it and what can / should I make of this situation.
Comparable to a draft it contains a lot of potential. Spectator and / or participant of the work can proceed with it, each to one’s own senses, shape and expression.”
In the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, Poland and Spain van Breest Smallenburg has created video installations, interactive installations and has taken part in many exhibitions.
In addition, van Breest Smallenburg received commissions to design permanent and temporary installations in public spaces throughout Europe and the work is featured in both corporate and private collections.
The choice of method and media van Breest Smallenburg makes is dictated by the requirements of each project and ranges from site-specific mixed media work, to interdisciplinary installations (comprising of sound, video, sculpture and photography).
For example, in cooperation with the Cultural Embassy, the art project ‘AL MOND’ was realised; a double screen DVD-installation with relational links in public and private spaces of the Lloyd Hotel, in which everybody from guests to staff and kitchen crew were involved.
And in the ‘IJ to IS-land’ project, part of Transit Series, a triple screen DVD-installation was combined with an interactive bulletin board nurtured through contributions in virtual public space on the website.
Van Breest Smallenburg received an MA in European Arts and Culture from The University of Leicester (United Kingdom), La Unversidad de Granada (Spain) and the Tilburg Art Academy in the Netherlands and a BA in Fine Arts from the Vrije Leergangen -Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam and
Important influences on the work of van Breest Smallenburg are a wide interest in other cultures, philosophies (particularly Taoism) and nature .
Furthermore van Breest Smallenburg was active in arts education; till 2008 as head of the department of digital media, audiovisual and visual arts at the Apeldoorn Art Centre in the Netherlands.
At present involved in the development of arts and culture in public space in the vinex suburb Oosterheem in Zoetermeer and serving in several Advisory Committees for contemporary art in public space.