Serendipity: the unexpected discovery

Date: Friday, 16 October
Time: 15:00–18:00 hrs
Location: Stroom Den Haag, Hogewal 1–9, The Hague
Language: English spoken

Register here

Sometimes you find a book. Sometimes a book finds you.

On Friday 16 October, we are launching Stroom’s online library catalogue with an afternoon dedicated to serendipity: the unexpected find that sparks a new way of thinking. Through a lecture, performance and conversation, we will explore the value of the unexpected and invite you to discover the library and its collection for yourself.

Over the course of 35 years, Stroom’s library has grown alongside the artists, practices and topics that Stroom engages with. Anyone familiar with the library knows that searching here rarely follows a straight line. Wandering among the books takes you from one subject to another, along unexpected connections and new ideas. You find what you are looking for, and sometimes something you didn’t even know you were looking for.

How do artists experience serendipity in their practice? Can you create space for the unexpected? And how do you do this online, in a world where algorithms and AI are increasingly helping us to search in ever more targeted ways?

With a lecture by Annelien Smets, research professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and chair of the Serendipity Society, a performance by Modulus Foundation and a joint conversation, we explore serendipity from different perspectives.

Come and listen, join the conversation, take a look at the renewed online library catalogue and, above all, wander through the library. Perhaps you will find exactly what you were looking for. Or something completely different.

Program:

15.00 — Doors open, with coffee and tea

15.15 — Welcome by Alexandra Landré, Artistic Director of Stroom Den Haag

• Introduction to the library & online catalogue by Lidwien Nielander, librarian, including short portraits of library users

• Lecture by Annelien Smets, research professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and chair of the Serendipity Society, followed by a conversation and Q&A

• Performance by Stephanie Pan, voice artist, composer, interdisciplinary maker, performer and curator

• Launch of the online library catalogue

17.30 — Drinks & visit to the library

Bio
Annelien Smets is research professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, senior researcher at imec-SMIT, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and chair of the Serendipity Society. Prof. Smets holds a PhD in Communication Sciences and two M.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence and Information Science. ”My research centers around personalization and recommender systems, and their value in media markets. I have a specific interest in serendipity and discovery.” You can find more info here.

Stephanie Pan is a voice artist, composer, interdisciplinary maker, performer and curator currently based in The Hague, the Netherlands. At the root of her work is the notion of pure communication; finding a form of contact with the audience which is stripped of social expectations and distractions, that speaks beyond the conventional and social limitations and constructs of language  Pan has performed internationally and has presented both solo and collaborative work in venues and festivals as varied as CTM Berlin, Sziget Festival, Rewire Festival, Dutch National Opera, Beursschouwburg Brussel, and Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. Together with Stelios Manousakis she is co-founder and artistic co-director of interdisciplinary production house Modulus and the inter-media platform Modern Body Festival. You can find more information on Pan here.