ZOLT
Debora Westra & Susanne Luurs
NP3 | MOBi
Suikerlaan 41
Saturday 12th September
12.00 – 18.00 – Start work- and research period
15.00 – Performance
ZOLT is an artist duo consisting of Debora Westra and Susanne Luurs, whose collaborative practice focuses on regional histories, folk stories, and the cultural landscape of the Wadden Sea region (het Waddengebied). Working across installation, sculpture, performance, and storytelling, they explore how histories and stories can be rediscovered, retold, and given new meaning in a contemporary context.
A particular focus of their practice is the role of women and their relationship to the landscape. Many traditional folk stories have, over the centuries, become deeply infused with stereotypes and misogyny. Debora and Susanne investigate how these stories can be retold in ways that create space for new perspectives on gender and identity, while also bringing greater care, awareness, and attention to the landscape and the communities connected to it.
Their work draws on intangible cultural heritage and locally sourced, natural materials such as wool and clay, as well as the landscape itself. Through collecting, translating, and reimagining folk stories, they create installations, sculptures, and performances in which material, form, place, and narrative come together. Their process actively involves the local landscape and community, allowing research and artistic making to develop in dialogue with their surroundings.
Saturday 12th September, they will begin their work and research period with a performance that serves as the starting point for their work- and research period at NP3 | MOBi. From this initial gesture, they will further investigate the stories, materials, places, and perspectives that emerge, using the research period to develop new ways of translating regional histories and cultural heritage into contemporary artistic forms.
ZOLT is the winner of the 2025 Noordenaars Stipendium and is participating in the Artist in Space development programme. This work and research period, followed by a presentation at NP3 | MOBi, marks the completion of this trajectory.
With thanks to We the North and the Mondriaan Fund.
