廖 智 新
ANGUS | ZHIXIN LIAO

In the previous artist residency (2 months) at Vincent van GoghHuis, my project was based in a Flemish barn in De Moeren near Zundert. I researched the Flemish barn's architectural style on-site, its historical ties to the NL-BE national border, and potential connections to the painter Van Gogh. However, my efforts to uncover personal links with this barn were unsuccessful; any similarities appeared to be attributable solely to their shared geographical region.

Despite this setback, I gained valuable insights. My research introduced me to new Dutch terminology such as "Fundering," "Landhuis," "Poer," "Vlaamse Schuur," "Slof," "Telmerken," "Turf," and "Teken." These terms will be beneficial as I make 8 pieces of sculpture, and prepare for a more challenging "Inburgering" exam process.

Originally one of ten royal tax warehouses (Huis Oranje-Nassau) in the 17th century, the Flemish barn was an ancestor of the Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax and Customs Administration). I discovered the bran is a movable structure, relocated to its current site, replacing a barn/stable (nowadays adjacent to Landgoed de Moeren) from the early 18th century. Since the 18th century, Landgoed de Moeren has been part of a noble estate. I secured a lease for a portion of their grassland, where I placed a foundation stone engraved with my eight-digit KVK (Chamber of Commerce) number for 37 years.

There is a summer interview from Esther van Rosmalen about this project, please check it out🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

*Vlaamse schuur (Flemish Barn) mentioned from Duizend jaar bouwen in Nederland (1947-1948) by Robert Cornelis Hekker (1917-1990)