The world as a whole, and the connections and movements inside this whole, are the main focus in the work of Esther Kokmeijer. This interest stems from the need to contain, organize and represent the complexity of the world. She is interested in the origins of nature, and how landscapes are shaped and interact with humans. Geographic benchmarks and forces of nature are often the basis of an investigation.

Esther's interest began with the imaginary line, which connects Mount Merapi volcano and the Pacific, with the Kraton of Yogyakarta, as the central connecting point. The work "The More You Take The more I give," is based on both recent and ancient myths that are currently believed and embraced in the everyday lives of people in the area along this imaginary line. Kokmeijer became fascinated by the large role that geology plays in everyday life. "You can really feel how myths are formed by the surrounding landscape. For me, this interaction between nature and man is very valuable, "said Kokmeijer.

Esther Kokmeijer worked in the autumn of 2011 as part of the residency program There Yogyakarta (Indonesia). She let herself inspire by the forces of nature. One of the immediate triggers was the eruption of the Merapi volcano in 2010, which has left deep scars in the Javanese countryside.

With this exhibition a publication will be released.

The opening will take place on Friday, April 6 at 17.00 at Heden at the Denneweg 14a.

Esther Kokmeijer also participates in the exhibition Voyage at Gallery Maurits van der Laar (opening Saturday, April 7 at 16.00)

Saturday, April 14 Seconds Out: Faces of Boxing - A fascinating book by Piek with an introduction by Erwin Olaf, will be presented.

This book contains beautiful pictures of boxing by Piek (Annemieke Kock). Impressive portraits of boxers at their most vulnerable moment: in the corner with their trainer, inbetween rounds. Sharp, intimate pictures alternating with action shots. A unique book: "Boxing has never been documented this way"

Seconds Out: Faces of Boxing is a beautiful art book and already a collectors item. The photos show the phenomenon of boxing as more than just a sport and graphically it is beautifully designed. Besides the introduction by Erwin Olaf the book further contains an essay by author Jan van Bergen Mers and an interview with Lucia Rijker. The director of the most famous boxing gym in the world, Bruce Silverglade of Gleason's Gym, wrote a few lines for the book too.

Photos from this book are on exhibit and for sale at Heden!
The book Seconds Out: Faces of Boxing  will be officially launched on Saturday, April 14th at 17:00 in Heden at the Denneweg 14a in The Hague.

The art world in The Hague is rich in initiatives ranging from temporal underground places to initiatives indistinguishable from a commercial gallery. That has not always been the case. The Hague Centre for Contemporary Art (HCAK) of 1978-1996 was the first artist initiative in The Hague and for a long time one of the only ones in the Netherlands. It sprang from the need for experimental art shows at a time when the established museums and galleries were not open for experiments. It is an indispensable chapter of The Hague's recent cultural history and is a major inspiration for current The Hague initiatives.

A generation later, six organizations join forces in a tribute to the HCAK. 
Heden, GEMAK / Vrije Academie, 1646, JCA de Kok, Ruimtevaart and Nest each perform any of the old HCAK projects again, now with a contemporary interpretation that matches their own vision. These exhibitions once executed by the HCAK are anything but dated. But HCAK Revisited is more than a commemoration or tribute to the HCAK. It examines the differences between the artist’s initiatives and the institutions of past and present.

Pas de Deux was a project executed in 1991 at the HCAK.
A collaboration between two artists can be performed on many levels. Heden invites Thomas Raat and Marius Lut into a dialogue; for once their individual work is not the main focus. They have to cooperate and play together to achieve a new outcome. To let new art see the light of day!