Since 2015, The New Garden - designed and maintained by artist Frank Bruggeman and ecological gardener Hans Engelbrecht - has been attracting all kinds of people, for all kinds of reasons. The garden was created with an open design that makes many different interactions possible, contrasting with other public spaces that prescribe or prevent specific uses.
In Just Hanging Out, Afarai (architects Afaina de Jong and Zaira Pourier) introduced 'hanging out' as an alternative cultural practice that has a long tradition in Rotterdam. The New Garden is a perfect space to hang out in - unrestricted, irrational and incidental. De Jong and Pourier hung around the garden for a few weeks and, based on their conversations, observations and research, curated a programme in summer 2019 that took hanging out as a starting point to reflect on ownership, the value of 'free' public spaces, and how the presence of 'other' bodies in the public realm influence our relationship with space.
To encourage people to just hang out, Afarai firstly marked the space with a number of simple spatial interventions such as canvas sun-shades with brightly coloured graphic prints, bright-red folding chairs, a tree swing and lights. They then organised a barbecue for the garden's visitors, alongside a programme of talks, music, and performances given by guests. The guests were Maher al Sabbagh, Manuela Goncalves Tavares, Hunna Blockparty Talents, Charlie Koolhaas, Festival Magia, and Malique Mohamud of Concrete Blossom.
In parallel to the programme, they engaged in various conversations with visitors and users of The New Garden to make an online documentary:
Find out more about _Just Hanging Out _and The New Garden.