Our platform centers around the creation of projects with a reciprocal impact on both art and society. We create interventions, conversations, soundscapes, research, rituals, performances and installations that make space for new perspectives. Our projects are often in collaboration with (local) communities and community workers.

We specifically focus on the issue of capitalism and its counterpart: separation. We strife to create artistic ‘imagination spaces’ for post-capitalist behavior, in which we can rekindle the ability in people to believe in the power of alternatives. By collaborating cross-disciplinary we can translate ‘the imagined’ into a concrete collective practice. Imagination and participation as key ingredients. Because, in our experience, systematic change can only occur when individuals gain the agency to remodify their own participation.

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art impacting society impacting art impacting society impacting art impacting society impacting art

As Above, So Below

Our name and philosophy are inspired by the second principle of Hermetic philosophy, known as the principle of correspondence: "As above, so below, as below, so above." This principle suggests that heaven and earth mirror each other, and that everything, despite its polarities and varying vibrations, is ultimately united.

As separation is rapidly taking hold of our (global and local) communities. This notion of correspondence or reciprocity is strongly reflected in our conviction to focus on what we humans have in common, rather than what is setting us apart.

As unity and separation always go hand in hand, the real aim is restoring the balance. Individuality, within the collective. Agency, while taking part in a larger system. And understanding the tension between inclusion and emancipation, that is sure to arise, when we separate our identities by validating them as absolute entities.

Art creates a perspective of 'aesthetic distance' from our collective reality, offering an overview, an imagination and rehearsal space, to reflect on and reinvent our social interactions.

However, we also believe that art should not be separated from society by being placed on a pedestal. The aesthetic distance is one of consciousness, not physical or psychological separation.

What we are trying to say is…

as above, see our mission below

Art creates a perspective of 'aesthetic distance' from our collective reality,

offering an overview, an imagination/
rehearsal space,

to reflect

and reinvent our social interactions.

Mission

At ABOVE AS BELOW, we believe in the power of art to address social issues and promote meaningful change. We aim to:

  • Create imagination spaces; to rekindle our ability to believe in alternative ways of living.

  • Produce innovative, must-hear stories, conversations, interventions, and artworks

  • Facilitate dialogue around important social issues

  • Challenge societal norms and power structures

  • Collaborate with experts in community building, social work, academics, activists and many others.

  • Gain durability by working in longer project arches and maintaining longterm partnerships.

  • Practice through empowerment, mobilization, rehearsal, experiment.

  • Generate joy, giving us meaning

  • Build communities where we prioritizing collective wellbeing over individual profit 

  • Radical queerness instead of boxed-up identities

  • Participation: being active citizen instead of passive consumers 

  • Reminding people they have agency, here and now. 

Vision

In the coming years we aim to:

  1. Establish ourself as a premier foundation in the field of socially engaged arts

  2. Attract partner organizations with similar objectives and complementary communities or techniques

  3. Asset based community development

  4. Strengthen our artistic vision and practice

  5. Creating and facilitating a strong network of post-capitalist thinkers and do’ers

  6. Steady year-round work-flow behind the scenes

  7. Widening and deepening relationship with audience

  8. Create tools for impact measurement

  9. Building a collaborative relationship with local, national and European funds

  10. Make the value of correspondence and reciprocity in arts visible through participating in public talks, trade publications, and knowledge transfer in art education

Join Us !

We invite communities, artists, thinkers, creators and social organisations, who share our passion for socially engaged arts, to join us in our mission.

Together, we can create impactful imaginations spaces, that resonates with audiences and contributes to positive social change.