The take-over (or: when an artist and a manager swap jobs)

In March 2017 artist Mercedes Azpilicueta and Jacco van Uden, head of the Change Management research group at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (NL), will take over each other’s work and everything that comes with it. While Mercedes and Jacco have their own distinct motives for swapping jobs for a full month there is a shared, deep interest in exploring differences and similarities between artistic and management practices. Can and should these practices inform each other? And if so, how? With The take-over Mercedes and Jacco aim to contribute to the development of, and critical reflection on cross-disciplinary – and some might say – transgressive practices.

Rules

The Take-over starts Wednesday March 1, 2017 and ends Friday March 31, 2017
During The Take-over, Mercedes assumes full responsibility over Jacco’s job as head of the Change Management research group of The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS). Jacco takes over Mercedes’ artistic practice and everything that comes with it. Decisions, meetings, strategies and so on will not be postponed needlessly. Exploring (afterwards) the consequences of this full mandate is part why we do this.
In addition to taking over each other’s daily work (see – Jacco or Mercedes), Mercedes will provide a short list of issues that deserve special attention: the ‘this needs work’-list. This list serves as a focal point, but does not specify how Jacco can contribute to it. And vice versa, of course. Check Mercedes’ list and Jacco’s.
Jacco will have full access to everything that constitutes Mercedes’ practice and vice versa: facilities, network, (financial) resources, and so on.
During The Take-over Jacco will work from the Rijksakademie, where Mercedes was a resident for two years. Mercedes’ office will be Jacco’s THUAS office.
During The Take-over, there will be no contact between Mercedes and Jacco. There is no room for consulting each other. There is the initial briefing and that’s it.