#dutch creativity

THE NEW STIJL — LAUNCH

THE NEW STIJL celebrates Dutch creativity beyond borders. More than 50 creatives; designers, artists, photographers, architects and more, brought together in an iconic 500+ page book.

The result — a truly striking visual showcase of creativity in The Netherlands today.

A collaboration between …,staat and MENDO, this book is not a portfolio, a greatest hits or an academic tome. THE NEW STIJL presents work from those who are dreamers, doers and disruptive thinkers challenging us to look at things in a new way.

This is a bombastic festival of a book, curated across disciplines and styles, designed to keep you guessing. It’s full of energy, enlightening conversations, clashing creatives and unexpected combinations – think big names with unexpected work and unexpected names with big work.  

Ayooo tolong klik link di bawah ini :D Tolong bantu share dan komentar (diskusi) di masing-masing link di bawah ini :D

 http://kompetiblog2012.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/246-menyihir-dunia-lewat-bunga-tulip/

sama ini juga :D

http://kompetiblog2012.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/245-pesona-seni-negeri-kincir-angin-belanda/

We have heard about it all before, the Netherlands, they have it all. From the best universities in the world, nobel prize winners, world acclaimed architects, to legenderay artists. On a global scale, Netherlands is also one of the best places to live and work on Earth.   

What is the secret ingredient? According to Mr. Ping in Kung Fu Panda, believing something is special is the key. However, that’s not the only one. Behind the glory of success there’s always a grueling process of hardwork, perseverance and dedication.  A lot of fun too. The combination of an open mind to new ideas, innovation with passionate creative work? A nation full of ‘worka-frolics’.  Not only that, the Dutch nurtures worka-frolics from other nations too, and they have learnt this for hundreds of years.

One fine example is Franz Wilhelm Junghuhn (1809-1864). Founder of the White Crater (Kawah Putih) in Ciwidey, Bandung, who, played a very important role of documenting Java and Sumatra in the botanic, geographic, topographic and cartographic fields. He was of German origin and was granted Dutch Citizenship in 1853.

  Franz Wilhelm Junghuhn

His key works were Die Bättalander auf Sumatra (Batak lands of Sumatra- 1847) and Java, seine Gestalt, Pflanzendecke, und sein innerer Bau (Images of Light and Shadow from Java's interior – 1850-1854). Junghuhn was the first scientist to record and map out Sumatra and Java not only geographically but also etnographically in great depth.

Junghuhn's map in comparison with a current map of Java.

Junghuhn's map displayed at the Erasmus Huis, Jakarta, and my sister. A pretty huge map right? He did it alone and by hand. No computers, Arcview and Photoshop back then.

As a botanist, Junghuhn’s milestone  was during his first 13 years in Java. He compiled a comprehensive plant distribution study of the island of Java which remains valid to this day and is regarded as one of the best scientific documentations ever. Due to his observations, he saw the deterioration of nature caused by humans and advised the government to implement a planned reforestation programme back in 1856. Undoubtedly, Junghuhn was already into the ‘go green’ movement way ahead of his time. His love for land was unquestionable, even in his death bed he requested to view Mount Tangkuban Perahu and breathe in its clean mountainous air for the last time.    

Junghuhn's sketches of plants.

Junghuhn's image of Dieng.

Nonetheless, Junghuhn’s genius came with a price. ‘His work was controversial at the time, because he encouraged socialism and criticized Christian and Islamic proselytization of the Javanese people’. At first, his volumes of research couldn’t be published in Europe. However, the Dutch published them eventually although his name remained anonymous. It was his 4th volume, published in 1866, 2 years after his death that his name was mentioned.

As cited above, even at the time, the Dutch has always respected the importance of information. Taking the risks, giving science a chance. These were the early steps to tolerance that the Dutch are renown for today.

In spite of all, Junghuhn is indeed the true representation of creativity, passion and perseverance. Defying the odds and going through the C.R.A.P. The Criticism, Rejection, Pressure and A...hmm, see for yourself what A stands for in the video by TED on success by analyst Richard St John below. 

Video link: 

http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_st_john_s_8_secrets_of_success.html

Writing Reference:

Researching – Measuring – Arguing.  An Exhibition on the Occassion of the Bicentenary of the Explorer of the Island of Java. Written by Renate Sternagel & Gerard Aust. Published by Goethe Institut Jakarta & Erasmus Huis Jakarta. November 2009.

http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Wilhelm_Junghuhn

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Wilhelm_Junghuhn

http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_st_john_s_8_secrets_of_success.html

  Image source:

Junghuhn's map and my sister: Personal photographs.

http://edisus.multiply.com/photos/album/5?&show_interstitial=1&u=%2Fphotos%2Falbum#

http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Wilhelm_Junghuhn

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13088710@N02/4143044055/

Jos Van Zetten: http://www.flickr.com/photos/josvanzetten/4038959071/sizes/z/in/photostream/

TED video source:

"Happiness is in the doing, right? ...Not in the getting what you want."

- Jesse -

Before Sunset (Film, 2004)

  An interesting fact about the Netherlands that I read in Eric Weiner’s Geography of Bliss was that it's home to the World Database of Happiness. Yes, a research centre on happiness. Didn’t see that one coming, right? Now I’m more convinced that basically the Dutch does research on...

Everything.

Moreover, another intriguing fact is that Dutch children came first place in the Youth Wellbeing rankings. Indeed, we can say that Dutch children are the happiest among industrialised countries. Pretty cool right? Which brings us to the next question. Why are Dutch children the happiest?  

According to Rutt Veenhoven, Professor of Happiness Studies – well, that’s what his business card says – and a professor of social conditions for human happiness at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, ‘small affluent countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark are very democratic and very free. There is also a very good education system. People can use that freedom and education to make the right choices.’

Dutch parents have a very open and communicative relationship with their children. They can discuss about anything. In addition, since the Dutch are more open and tolerant about certain issues such as sex, drugs and alcohol, the dynamics of the problems isn’t as severe as in other countries. It is not interesting for the youth to provoke their parents with such issues.

There is also less pressure put on children at school. It is not about being the best, but doing the best to achieve results. In the classroom, teachers and students discuss ideas and subject materials as equals. Great results eventually come along with 'the try and an umph'. The results? You can check out Dutch architecture, art, music, business and economy, healthcare and other sectors. They're epic, I can guarantee you that.  

Nevertheless, there is always two sides to everything.

It’s the balancing of the child and the parents’ happiness because at some point it can be too child oriented. Freedom taken too far can lead to indifference. No one wants spoilt little brats and future wimpy adults. Like the ancient Greeks said, everything in moderation. Studies by Veenhoven, the Dr.Feelgood himself, have also proven that the happiness of hardcore hedonists and hard drug users decreases over time compared to ‘modest consumers’. We can’t experience something good all the time which, also means that we are open to unhappiness in order to appreciate happiness itself. Like tasting the sweetness of success after hard grueling work.  

On the whole, the success of the Dutch in all sectors is because they allow the freedom of expressing ideas. In the Netherlands even something strange to many can become a normality. Quirkiness has a home. When you are able to express yourself comfortably, you’re creative. No wonder the Dutch are successful and happy. Not either or. 

Happiness is the doing.

Happiness is in the creative process.

Happiness intertwining with creativity does lead to greatness.

   Writing reference:

Geography of Bliss - Netherlands - by Eric Weiner.

http://www.hollandtrade.com/sector-information/creative-industries/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6360517.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/8010026.stm

'The try and an umph': Happy Feet (Film, 2006)

  Image source:

In our daily journey, we often go looking for a single form of identity of who we are. To reach a holistic form of entity, it turns out that we should not have filtered thousands influences and take out only one. Why bother filtering such massive amount of influences while we can just reach those thousands of differently beautiful influences and sewn them well together?

That opinion of mine was surfacing because I got few chances to observe things that contain dualism. Dualism in ideas, things, character and many more. A few days ago I wrote some review about a hotel in Amsterdam that open up its door as a hotel that preserving a historical building in Amsterdam. The name is Conservatorium Hotel Amsterdam and obviously occupying the former abandoned building of renowned Sweelinck Conservatory. Not just plainly occupying, with a help of great designer and architect, Pierro Lissoni, the old building has been knitted greatly and infiltrated with the touch of today’s lifestyle. The brick walls and wood flooring records a lot of stories of Sweelinck Conservatory and now living side by side with full glass building, steel structure and renown modern era furniture such as Cassina, Living Davina and others. Old and new, both are collided and melted harmoniously. Reaching such a contemporary atmosphere and as well as giving a new breath of life to the area within and surrounding Conservatorium Hotel. One of the main heart-throbbing parts of this hotel is the Brasserie which took place in the glass building which they called the Atrium. By sitting in the Brasserie area, one would be able to see parts of the city many faces; the old brick wall, the modern glass building, and the view of Amsterdam’s buzzing life. Those three will surely rushing the blood to the head and living up our spirit. In my point of view, Conservatorium Hotel is one of those perfect examples where dualism stands in harmony.

Netherland is famous for its advance thinking in many fields and Amsterdam itself is an international city which had already grabbed thousands influences that I mentioned before. The thousands which include lifestyle of the Dutch and lifestyle of other nationality and also Dutch history mixed with its own new culture. Thousands of living, contradicting and moving factors that wrapped into one identity of lively Amsterdam.

Belanda adalah negara yang terkenal dengan kreativitas dan inovasinya. Tapi tau ga sih kalian kalau kreativitas orang orang Belanda itu sudah ada dari zaman nenek moyang kita? Apa aja sih kreativitas itu? Mari kita simak tulisan dibawah ini.... capcus.....

Tau ga sih kalian kalo Belanda adalah negeri yang ketinggiannya lebih rendah dari permukaan laut? Kaget? Saya juga cukup kaget dan norak waktu diceritain ama dosen saya hehe, walaupun udah banyak teman saya yang tau. Memang sih ga seluruh Belanda ketinggiannya lebih rendah dari permukaan laut, hanya di beberapa tempat saja, tepatnya di wilayah pesisir utara Belanda (Friesland dan Groningen). Terus kenapa ya kok kita jarang denger berita tentan banjir di Belanda? Nah ini karena mereka punya tanggul yang menahan air laut masuk ke wilayah mereka. Pembangunan tanggul tanggul ini ada karena ternyata dulu Belanda pernah dilanda banjir hebat. Hal inilah yang memacu para nenek moyang Belanda untuk menciptakan ide dan inovasi agar banjir hebat tidak terjadi lagi di Belanda. Tanggul ini bukan sembarang tanggul loh, tanggul tanggul ini terbuat dari bukit bukit pasir dan diletakan di sekitar kota kota tadi. Kemudian tanggul tanggul ini ditanami banyak pohon sehingga pasirnya lama lama akan menempel, akibatnya tanggul tanggul ini berkembang menjadi tanggul yang kuat. Tapi kan kalo tanggul gitu doang mah, Jakarta juga punya! Oooo jangan salah, teknologi ini sudah mereka terapkan semenjak sekitar 1000 tahun yang lalu loh, pada abad ke 13. :O

Inovasi nenek moyang belanda ternyata ga cuma tangguk aja loh. Belanda juga terkenal akan kincir anginnya. Tapi sebenarnya apa sih fungsinya kincir angin ini? Masih pada inget kan kalo belanda tuh banyak yang ketinggiannya divawah permukaan laut, nah kincir kincir ini digunakan untuk memindahkan air air yang tergenang di daratan ke laut, hingga bisa di bendung kemudian. Kincir angin juga berfungsi untuk mengeringkan daratan yang tergenang oleh air. Kincir angin ini mulai dikembangkan di Belanda semenjak abad ke 13, walaupun banyak para ilmuwan yang berpendapat kalo Belanda bukanlah negara pertama yang menerapkan teknologi kincir angin, melainkan Persia (Iran). Namun ternyata penelitian membuktikan kalau kincir angin yang digunakan di Eropa dan di Asia memiliki karakteristik yang berbeda. Seiring perkembangannya, kincir angin juga digunakan untuk kepentingan industri, misalnya untuk irigasi, untuk menggiling jagung, bahkan untuk pariwisata.

Macet di kota-kota besar, penanganan bencana yang kurang cepat, masalah penghematan energi adalah beberapa topik yang akhir-akhir ini sedang ‘trending’ di Indonesia. Daripada bosan menyimak topik tanpa solusi yang menarik, yuk kita belajar dari inovasi Belanda. Mengapa Belanda? Belanda, negara yang terkenal dengan kincir angin dan bunga tulip-nya ini ternyata mempunyai beberapa inovasi yang cukup unik.

Dua diantaranya adalah mobil terbang dan vibration energy. Kedua inovasi ini patut menjadi referensi untuk masalah yang lagi ‘hits’ yang saya sebutkan di awal paragraf tadi.

Mobil Terbang. Spark dan Pal-V Europe NV sebentar lagi akan berhasil mewujudkan mimpi-mimpi akan adanya mobil terbang di dunia ini. Pal-V, mobil terbang ciptaan Spark dan Pal-V Europe NV ini merupakan kendaraan yang dapat dikemudikan baik di jalan maupun di udara. Kendaraan ini juga dapat berubah dengan mudah dan cepat dari mode drive ke mode terang (fly). Bersama 25 desainer serta kreator yang berpengalaman, dipimpin oleh Robert Barnhoorn, MSc dan Maarten Wilming MSc, Spark membuat sebuah prototype PAL-V yang dapat dikemudikan di jalan maupun udara yang saat ini sedang diuji secara berkala. Kendaraan ini didesain hanya memiliki roda tiga dengan maksud agar pengendara dapat memiringkan motor semudah mengendarai sepeda motor, namun seaman dan senyaman menngendarai mobil. Tidak hanya itu, PAL-V ternyata memenuhi persyaratan sertifikasi yang paling ketat dari RDW en ILT (formerly IVW), kendaraan menggunakan atmosfer yang lebih rendah (di bawah 1200 meter), di bawah jalur penerbangan sibuk, dapat diterbangkan dalam kondisi VFR.

Selain bentuknya yang mungil, mobil terbang ini juga dilengkapi sistem kontrol rotor untuk melipat sayap dan baling-baling. Mobil terbang ini sangat cocok untuk digunakan sebagai kendaraan ambulans, polisi, tim sar, orang-orang bisnis dan tentunya sangat cocok untuk digunakan di daerah dengan infrastruktur transportasi yang kurang memadai. Yang terpenting adalah terhindar dari kemacetan dan dapat mencapai daerah yang jauh dalam waktu yang singkat. Hmmm, bayangkan saja bila mobil terbang ini ada di Indonesia, penanganan bencana pasti akan lebih baik.

Inovasi yang kedua adalah vibration energy, getaran dari kendaraan yang dapat diubah menjadi energi, dengan bantuan material piezoelectric. Materi ini nantinya digunakan pada permukaan jalan raya. Jadi nantinya, jumlah kendaraan yang lewat dan jumlah elemen piezo di jalan sangat mempengaruhi jumlah energi yang dihasilkan. Ilmuwan-ilmuwan Belanda ini juga tidak tanggung-tanggung lho mengembangkan penelitian mereka, kedepannya mereka akan memasang material piezo ini tidak hanya di bawah jembatan dan viaduct, namun juga di bawah lempengan jalan beton, polisi tidur, di samping jalur kereta api ataupun di saluran air drainase. Kebayang kan, jika teknologi ini dikembangkan di Indonesia, produksi energi di Indonesia akan semakin berkembang.