Towards new horizons
After many years of working with visual storytellers, both within Docking Station and in my teaching practice at master's and bachelor's programs at two Dutch art academies, it is crystal clear to me: the existing livelihood models of these makers are often lousy. This is because of our current economic system. In that system, market thinking is so overwhelming that it suppresses the arts (and with it the world of visual storytellers). This makes the position and right to exist for these makers very difficult. In fact, it often takes all the wind out of the sails of individual makers, but also for an organization such as Docking Station. For the latter, research has been initiated for a new economic model that is not only good for the organization itself but also for the people and makers (Dockers in our case) with whom we work. There is a belief that a new economic model must be devised that is many times fairer, more transparent, and not only good for ourselves but also takes care of those around us. For that reason (co-)founder and current director Marga Rotteveel has been focusing for two years on research into such a new economic model for visual storytellers and for an organization such as Docking Station. She does this within the New Economy research group of Avans University of Applied Sciences, Center of Expertise for Broad Prosperity and New Entrepreneurship. For those who want to think along or have ideas about this, you are very much invited to contact us (marga.dockingstation.today)
For that reason, Docking Station is not active with its Dockers program for a while, because first, the existing conditions must be good and then further. We are, however, active in keeping our eyes and ears open for beautiful visual stories that have the power to bring a different perspective to the social issues in our society. That's why Docking Station is amongst others present at portfolio reviews and other events where visual storytellers come together. Those stories are being collected for the day Docking Station resumes its journey with new Dockers that we help and support to further develop the visual stories they create and bring them to the places that matter. Because the power of a good visual story is that it can contribute to new insights and change and that is much needed in the world in which we live.
Marga Rotteveel, director and co-founder, May 2023
Photo: Ryan Walker from his project ‘Voices in the Wilderness’
