SRV #9: Contemporary Glory

Attend the premiere of the film and the festive VHDG Christmas drinks on the weekend of December 16 & 17! More information below!

For nine years, our traveling art studio has been traveling throughout Friesland. Formerly an old mobile shop (SRV-wagen), it is now a transformed firetruck. Along the way, artists who are behind the wheel create new artworks inspired by the local surroundings and encounters with residents. This autumn, artists are once again setting out, and VHDG presents: Contemporary Glory, consisting of Charlien Adriaenssens and Louis van der Waal. In the month of October, Contemporary Glory travels through Friesland with VHDG’s mobile studio. Adorned in striking costumes and masks and fascinated by intriguing objects, they strive to capture the normally unseen events. In an upward journey towards the heart of Fryslân, they create a film of absurd, extraordinary, and visual scenes from, about, and with Friesland.

The Story of Frankenstein
As the starting point for their film project in Friesland, Contemporary Glory takes the story of Frankenstein. Mary Shelley wrote this early science fiction classic in 1818, and with many adaptations into plays, films, and series, Frankenstein became an icon in Western popular culture. Everyone knows the image of the monster composed of stitched-together body parts brought to life by lightning. The artist duo takes the original text as a starting point for their film and puts themselves in the perspective of the monster and its quest for connection.

Frankenstein was written in the twilight of the European Enlightenment and the beginning of Romanticism. In the creator of the monster, Victor Frankenstein, in his ambitions and creation, we clearly see both intellectual currents. On one hand, Frankenstein is a story about an ambitious scientist who believes he can unlock the mysteries of life and death and control nature with human intelligence. However, shortly after bringing something dead to life and awakening the monster, Frankenstein is confronted with the uncontrollable consequences of his creation and the (natural) violence he has unleashed.

Frankenstein in Friesland
After creating two unique beings, an artistic couple begins to grapple with doubts and a gnawing sense of guilt about the reality their offspring will face. The looming threat of climate disasters casts a somber shadow over the future of their beloved creations. Determined to find a better life for their two passionate “children,” they decide to journey to Friesland: a place where happiness prevails, and the land bravely resists the encroaching sea. The Frisians maintain a mysterious connection with the ocean. Once, Friesland was an extensive salt marsh that often flooded at high tide, prompting the Frisians to retreat to their dwelling mounds (terpen). This history has permanently anchored the mysterious sea in the soul and lifestyle of the Frisians. In their quest for a fresh start, they become involved in an adventure with a stranded whale, dancing potatoes, and a blue-waving brass band. How will the journey of the Frankenstein family unfold? Will they be embraced by the community of this northern province and finally find their long-awaited better future?

Join In!
In the enchanting villages of IJlst, Wanswert, Nes, Beetsterzwaag, and countless other Frisian gems, the Frankenstein Family will emerge throughout the entire month of October to capture these mysterious scenes. Whether you’re a passionate villager, a secret talent, a village diva, a garage musician, a shy curious soul, or just an outsider — Contemporary Glory invites villagers, import-Frisians, and all other adventurers to play a role in this mysterious spectacle.

Stay updated on “Frankenstein in Friesland” through our website. If you’d like to participate and get in touch with our talented artists, please send an email to contact@vhdg.nl

Program: (The program might be changed/updated, keep an eye on the website for the most up-to-date version)

(You can come and go according to what suits you, we are working with tools/materials like a sewing machine, paper mache, paint, etc. Experience not required!)

4 October, 10:00 – 12:00, Location: Het Lage Noorden
Help creating costumes and set pieces for the film Frankenstein in Friesland

(You can come and go according to what suits you, we are working with tools/materials like a sewing machine, paper mache, paint, etc. Experience not required!)

5 October, 10:30 – 14:00, Location: Hogebeintum, kerk
Shooting day and interactive performance, come watch and join in!

We are filming with Berber among others, someone we got to know in Het Lage Noorden and also does drama. We start with one of her favorite scenes! From 11:00 – 12:00 we will be shooting film in Wanswert (starting location: church) and from 13:00 – 14:00 in Hogebeintum (starting location: church)

People who’d like to follow us are welcome! People who’d like to join, please be there half an hour before we start!

10 October, Location: Ee Canal/city center Ijlst/between Snackbar de Witte Kat and B&B Nooit Gedagt
the Frankenstein Family climbs ladders to find themselves and explore the environment. Come and watch!

13 October, 12:50 – 15:00, Location: Wierum, Maria Church
Together with you, on Friday the 13th of October, the Frankenstein Family wants to move a giant fish through the streets and over the dike of Wierum! The fish comes out of the Maria Chruch and will be worn as a giant costume by as many people as possible! (The filming will take until 15:00 at the latest, stay as long as you’re able! All ages are welcome, experience is not required, and language is no issue!)

After 15:00 the fish will be at the Theaterkerk in Nes!

14 October, 17:30 – 19:30, Location: Nes, Theaterkerk
The big fish is in Nes!

16 October, location: Beetsterzwaag
Participate in the movie! Send a message on Instagram to @contempraryglory,or send an e-mail to contact@vhdg.nl

17 October, location: Beetsterzwaag
Participate in the movie! Send a message on Instagram to @contempraryglory,or send an e-mail to contact@vhdg.nl

22 October, during the day, location: near Ferwert
Participate in the movie! Send a message on Instagram to @contempraryglory,or send an e-mail to contact@vhdg.nl

23 October, during the day, location: near Workum
Participate in the movie! Send a message on Instagram to @contempraryglory,or send an e-mail to contact@vhdg.nl

24 October, from 13:00, location Wierum, Mariakerk
Participate in the movie! Send a message on Instagram to @contempraryglory,or send an e-mail to contact@vhdg.nl

26 October, location: Sint Annaparochie, AZC
Not open to public, only for inhabitants AZC

10th of November, location: Leeuwarden, Stadskas
Would you like to be part of the ‘Frankenstein in Friesland’ movie? Then the Frankenstein Family is looking for you! Together with you, Contemporary Glory wants to shoot a scene on Friday, November 10 at the Oldehoofsterkerkhof in Leeuwarden.

We need AS MANY PEOPLE as possible, so do not hesitate and come join in!

Date: Friday the 10th of November
Location: Oldehoofsterkerkhof
Time present: 15:45
Start filming: 16:00

Afterwards we’re organizing drinks with snacks where everyone can hang out and chat with each other!

The filming will take until 18:00 at the latest, stay as long as you’re able! All ages are welcome, experience is not required, and language is no issue!

17 November, from 15:00, location: Ijlst, winter-pizza-party at campsite Koekoek en de Waard
Participate in the movie! Send a message on Instagram to @contempraryglory,or send an e-mail to contact@vhdg.nl

Premiere SRV Film & VHDG Christmas drinks

Come join the festive premiere weekend on December 16 and 17 at Toon! On December 16, the very first screening will take place of the film created by the artist family Contemporary Glory as they traveled through Friesland. Under the title ‘Frankenstein in Friesland,’ they attempted to search for the soul of Friesland, together with, about and for the Frisians. How this process unfolded and what they ultimately discovered? Attend the premiere and be one of the first to find out!

In conjunction with this premiere, we have also organized VHDG Christmas drinks. Together with you, we would like to celebrate the end of this year in a festive and Christmassy atmosphere. It promises to be as cozy as always, so do come along! On Sunday, December 17, the film will be shown several times, and you can drop by to watch it. Below is the program for the evening.

Everyone is welcome, but there are only a limited number of spots available, so please let us know if you’ll be joining!You can find the reservation form here!

Saturday, December 16:
17:00: Reception
18:00: Welcome speech
18:30: Film premiere
19:00: Artist talk and Q&A
19:30: Christmas drinks

Sunday, December 17:
14:00 – 17:00: Continuous screening of the film

Location: Toon, Ruiterskwartier 6, Leeuwarden