We are all longing for a physical connection with the Other.
Melanie Maria (Haarlem, 1993)
performance artist, director/choreographer
‘The Other’ is an important ingredient in the works of Melanie Maria ever since she made productions at the Bachelor of Dance in Amsterdam. In her dance- and theatre productions she worked with the question of how she could get to an emotional meeting with the spectator, the passer-by and the performer itself. Melanie Maria continued this research at the Fine Art department in Arnhem through physical performance, human gestures and the use of public space.
“What do we share and how do we interfere?
How do we perceive and how aware are we of our surroundings?”
Every work isn’t an answer on her research, but a search on itself where Melanie Maria places herself in the role of a director. Therefore she creates in the moment and what that moment, the performers, the material and/or the surroundings desire.
Melanie Maria is graduated in July 2019 from Base for Experiment, Art and Research/Fine Art department and she lives and works in Arnhem, the Netherlands.
Education
Apprentice Master – Kunstpodium T
Kunstpodium T, Tilburg | 2019 – 2020
Bachelor Degree – Base for Experiment, Art & Research
ArtEZ University of the Arts, Arnhem | 2015 – 2019
Honours Programme
ArtEZ University of the Arts, Arnhem | 2016
Bachelor – Dance Teacher
Amsterdam School of the Arts, Amsterdam | 2011 – 2014
Internships & Residencies
Researcher/Assistant
If I Can’t Dance, Amsterdam | 2019
Artist in residence
Fondazione Pistoletto Cittadellarte Biella, Italy | 2019
Performer
Revolving Door (by Allora & Calzadilla), Museum Arnhem, Arnhem | 2017
Performer
Genderless Project (by Alicia Framis), Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam | 2017
Assistant
Alicia Framis, Studio Framis, Amsterdam | 2016
Other
Project Coordinator
Base for Experiment, Art & Research, Arnhem | 2020 – present
Interviewer & Curator
Rizoom, Arnhem | 2018 – present
PR Coordinator
Fourth Wall – BEAR Finals 2019, Arnhem | 2019
Coordinator
De Barmoeder – BEAR, Arnhem | 2018 – 2019
Coordinator
5 à 7 – BEAR, Arnhem | 2016 – 2019
Member
Examination Committee – BEAR, Arnhem | 2016 – 2018
Member
Student Council – BEAR, Arnhem | 2015 – 2016
Founder & Director
House For Art, Haarlem | 2014 – 2017
Dance Teacher/Choreographer/Director/Production Assistant
Various, The Netherlands | 2007 – present
Exhibitions
2021 – Solo exhibition, TAC, Eindhoven
Sept 3 till 27 – Season Highlights – Jan Naaijkens Prize Nominees, Kunstpodium T, Tilburg
2020 – Smart Distance Lab – The Art Fair, Kromhouthal, Amsterdam
2020 – Apprentice Master Returns from the Web, TAC, Eindhoven
2020 – Scores for Being alone Being together, Kunstpodium T, Tilburg
2020 – ΔΩΡΕΑΝ, Galerie Sleedoorn, Zetten
2019 – Performance Marathon, RUIS, Nijmegen
2019 – Kunst op de Koffie, Spijkerkwartier, Arnhem
2019 – Art Rendez Vous, KOP Breda, Breda
2019 – Nothing To Sell, Museo d’Arte Contemporanea Roma, Rome (IT)
2019 – Best of Graduates 2019, Galerie Ron Mandos, Amsterdam
2019 – Fourth Wall – BEAR Finals 2019, ArtEZ University of the Arts, Arnhem
2019 – Cittadellarte x ArtEZ Arnhem: Open Studio, Fondazione Pistoletto Cittadellarte, Biella (IT)
2018 – Melanie Maria x Elevated Art, Elevated Art, Arnhem (solo)
2018 – Wereldwijd de Heerlijkheid, Landgoed Hemmen, Hemmen
2018 – Inner / Outer Scapes, Circa… dit, Arnhem
2017 – 24hrs, ArtEZ University of the Arts, Arnhem
Publications & Rewards
2020 – Winner Jan Naaijkens Prize – Brabant Cultureel | link
2020 – Apprentice Master – Jan Naaijkens Prize Nominee | link
2019 – De jongste generatie kunstenaars – Palet Magazine #402 | link
2019 – Shortlist Best of Graduates 2019: Galerie Ron Mandos | link
2019 – VKC ART AWARD – Second price | link
2019 – Interview ArtEZ Finals 2019 | link
2019 – Review BEAR Finals 2019 – Lost Painters, Niek Hendrix | link
2019 – Review BEAR Finals 2019 – Metropolis M | link
2019 – Interview Cittadellarte Open Studio | link
2019 – Cittadellarte & ArtEZ Arnhem Residency – Cittadellarte Journal | link
2017 – Re-reveal Hendrik Antoon Lorentz Monument Sonsbeek Arnhem – KNAW | link
2017 – Re-reveal Hendrik Antoon Lorentz Monument Sonsbeek Arnhem – Arnhem Direct | link
2014 – Interview HRLM Magazine | link