‘Flexscapes’ is a videographic research project by Mirte van Duppen that zooms in on the current housing crisis in the Netherlands and the role of flexible, movable homes as a possible solution. In 2015, van Duppen herself lived in a container home on the NDSM site in Amsterdam for a year and a half. She missed the brick walls around her and found the immediate surroundings unpleasant. Her personal experience and current developments regarding flexible housing raise questions for her: to what extent do materiality, the immediate environment, and temporariness influence whether people feel 'at home'? Housing is a right, but is housing enjoyment also a right?

Van Duppen documents flexible homes and their residents, delves into the environment, and collects personal stories. By not judging, but listening, questioning, and recording, she gets to the core. She delves into three case studies: The Garden in Tilburg, Buurtschap te Veld in Eindhoven, and flexible homes in Vessem. Additionally, she engages in conversations with decision-makers and designers. A sparring partner in the project is Floris Alkemade, she collaborates with the Province of North Brabant and is part of the 'Community of Practice Flexwonen'.

Ultimately, all the material will take shape in one or more observational video installations. These will be shown in various locations; each place in a unique form, with a program and facilitated conversation. The video installation will, for example, return to the places and communities that are central, but will also be seen in galleries, public spaces, or libraries.

With her research, Mirte van Duppen aims to bring stakeholders closer together and especially give the intended residents a voice. The end product of this autonomous art project is an analysis of the current state of affairs and the developments that are in the pipeline, it is a learning document for the future that contributes to the societal debate.

Mirte van Duppen (1990, Tilburg) is a multimedia video artist with a graphic background. She studied at ArtEZ in Arnhem and Sandberg Institute (master) in Amsterdam. In her work, she analyzes the structures, functions, and transformations of (urban) landscapes and the interaction of humans with their environment. The projects are conversation starters - between users, designers, and decision-makers - and provide insight into complex (current) societal challenges. Major themes are given a human voice.

Flexscapes is made possible by Fresh Perspectives, Creative Industries Fund NL, Impulse and Project Regulation Municipality of Tilburg, Community of Practice Flexwonen, Province of North Brabant and BPD Cultuurfonds.