Short  list of activities
 
index
 
Still under de•re•construction 
                   
 
 
 
1978   foundation of Abandon - by Dick Harmsen and Han Maagdenberg, within the background of the Rotterdam Academy of fine arts; funded by the Academy and the Rotterdam art council RKS   BACK
 
Telephone   participation project; an empty space with a telephone - free calling - conversations were recorded, typed out and pasted next to each other, top down on the walls of the room during the project; narrative; Rotterdam Academy of fine arts and 'De Ruimte' Rotterdam  
 
City event   TOMATAMOT - City event - 'infiltration project' (Rotterdam Holland); includes printed matter issue: 
TOMATAMOT booklet, with variations on the palindrome; poetic; (silk screening; handy work) limited edition 500 pcs.		  
 
Time Script   first (single) Issue of Abandon, Time Script - Dutch; narrative; Printed matter (offset; silk screening; handy work) limited edition 250 pcs.  
 
B&W tapes   series of video tapes concerning 'visual communication'; 'lips' (lip reading); computer (screen) recordings; gesticulations; etc. - made on the Akai 1/4" B&W portable VTR set - viewings at several locations   Top of page
 
Text Projects   start of a survey on narrative implications using text elements in art projects and the concrete (visual) properties of language and letter forms; application of micro computer - basic programming  
 
'Pleens'   (paper air planes) start of a project to design with professional drawing techniques, construct and package (complete with a line of package designs and folders) several variations of paper air planes  
 
1979   presentation of Abandon at the Poetry International festival Rotterdam  
 
Sound 
construction 
Nr. 2		   series of interactive computer programs to control output (controlled randomization) of sound elements to the screen via user input; concrete; TRS 80 microcomputer, basic programming; first showing at the Singer Museum Laren; '4 Academies exhibit'    
 
Visual texts   study (essay) of visual poetry and the application of letter forms and text in contemporary art, within the background of the Rotterdam Academy of fine arts; narrative; Dutch; publication (stencils; photocopies; photographs) limited edition 250 pcs.  
 
Rumblings   'phonetic texts' and a report on 'rumbling' (stumble, murmuring, clattering) sounds  - narrative; Dutch; (offset; silk screening) limited edition 250 pcs.  
 
Kitchen table manuscript   'musing over the kitchen table' - 'loose leaf'; narrative; Dutch; (offset) limited edition 500 pcs.  
 
1980   presentation of Abandon at the Poetry International festival Rotterdam: conduct of a participation project:     
Spontaneous   Abandon 'Spontaneous' for interaction between public and poets - publication (offset; stencils; photo copies; photographs), limited edition 1000 pcs.    
 
Summary   3 very short texts on white; poetic; Dutch (offset; silk screening; handy work) limited edition 150 pcs.  
 
20 Small Poems   little booklet with tiny textual and visual 'artefacts' (offset;  photographs; handy work), limited edition 150 pcs.   Top of page
 
Text Routes   issue of 'loose leaf' elements to (re-) construct 'routes' - white spaces - in several texts; narrative; (offset; silk screening; handy work), limited edition 250 pcs.  
 
Entresol   'gestalt' project during the exhibition of final examinations 1980 from the Rotterdam Academy of fine arts: the making of an issue at the location, on the entresol of the exhibition hall; (offset; stencils; photo copies; handy work; photographs) limited edition 1000 pcs.; RKS exhibition hall, Doelen Rotterdam  
 
Voices   audio cassette tape entirely filled with sound pieces of the human voice (linear; concrete and tape manipulations); limited edition 250 pcs.   Abandon Voices
 
1981   Continuation of Abandon - funded by a stipend (for three years - price for best examination 1980) from the Rotterdam art council RKS  
 
Text Projects   exhibition of the progression of the survey on narrative implications using text elements in art projects and the concrete (visual) properties of language and letter forms; exhibition hall, Theatre Zuid Rotterdam  
 
Pleens   (paper air planes) exhibition of the conclusion of the project to design, construct and package several variations of paper air planes; narrative; RKS exhibition hall, Doelen Rotterdam; 'Stipendiates'  
 
Sou-n(d)   issue of an audio cassette tape with accompanying booklet; (cassette tape, offset) limited edition 500 pcs.; 'linear' sound pieces (side A) and computer generated sound pieces (side B)   Sou-n(d)
 
Sou-n(d) & 
Vowel Diagrams		   performance and exhibition of the sound project; first time live exhibition of a computer controlled audio visual set-up (B&W graphics and sound) and the text project element: 'vowel diagrams'; theatre and exhibition hall, cultural centre Tilburg   Top of page
 
1982   ending of the partnership between Han Maagdenberg and Dick Harmsen somewhere near the end of 1982; and now... Abandon is merely a pseudonym for Dick Harmsen  
 
Text Projects   conclusion of the (sub) text project 'compupoems'; series of 5 booklets with computer generated letter sequences; off screen photography; (offset) limited edition 100 pcs.  
 
Kinetic 
Letter Forms		   variations on letter images; concrete (CAD design; silk screening) limited edition 50 pcs. and a second edition 150 pcs.  
 
Alfa Beta   booklet containing a cut-out alphabet A-Z forming layers of complicated sub forms while turning over the leafs; concrete; (computer controlled plotter knife; red paper) limited edition 100 pcs.  
  
Dawn		    
start of the the 'Dawn' project; comprises of various work outs of the same set of 'scribbles' and icons; it's not a single work or a fixed set of ideas, but it consists of 10 main notions		  
 
1983   additional funding from the Rotterdam art council RKS; grant for material ('cassette organ')  
 
Cassette Organ   'home brew apparatus' to control 50 audio cassette players; musical keyboard and computer control; to make compositions and arrangements with continues streams of audio tracks; (i.e. somewhat like a mellotron, but with much longer tracks)   Top of page
 
Billets   computer v/s hand graphics; series of 40 computer drawings and 40 manual drawings in mutual interaction; 'note book' (booklet - offset) limited edition 250 pcs    
Coupure   'Billets' cut into a coupure, in a small box; 'loose leaf' (offset) limited edition 100 pcs.    
 
10 sec. 
drawings		   contains a series of 10 drawings, each presenting one second of hand movements during a monologue; concrete; booklet (offset) limited edition 250 pcs.  
 
1984   additional funding from the Rotterdam art council RKS; grant for making computer generated graphics to show on electronic bulletin boards; the work for the Dawn project and the computer audio and graphics explorations continues  
 
Hear Ear   selection of audio pieces (initial studies) generated with the cassette organ; audio cassette tape - 60 mins; printed matter; limited edition 250 pcs.   Hear Ear
 
Avsco graphics   selection of computer graphics generated with a color computer; concrete; showed on electronic bulletin boards from AVSCO in the Cities of Rotterdam and amsterdam  
 
Avsco Tape   selection of computer graphics generated with a color computer; assembled into a video sequence with a composition of audio pieces; concrete; Umatic video tape: 20 mins; viewings at several locations  
 
1985   continuation of Abandon - funded by the Dutch government's arrangement for artists: BKR; but on an individual basis only; acquisition of a Umatic video editing suite   Top of page
 
Dawn Audio   Dawn audio cassette; linear;  tape manipulations and concrete; (audio cassette) limited edition 250 pcs.   Dawn audio tape
 
Text Projects   exhibition of the conclusion of the (sub) text project 'Vowel Diagrams'; series of computer prints and audio tape; RKS exhibition hall, 'Westersingel 8' Rotterdam   Vowel 
Diagrams
 
Kuklos Stulon   interactive audio installation; 12 spots on standards; audio equipment; plastic column; metal; wood; first showing RKS exhibition hall, 'Westersingel 8' Rotterdam  
 
Stools of truth   installation consisting of 10 ordinary objects (stools), each with an unique supplement; sub element of Dawn; wood, metal; acrylic paint; perspex; 8 track player; speakers; first showing at RKS exhibition hall, 'Westersingel 8' Rotterdam   Ciuocchi di bagatella
 
1986   arrangement of an audio / video studio editing suite based on Umatic VCR's and Amiga video computers  
 
Koalaok   video production; composition of computer generated and recorded material; concrete; (video tape) 5 mins; viewings at several locations  
 
ESP's   video production; 'Electronic Study Pieces'; composition of computer generated and recorded material; concrete; (video tape) 5 mins; viewings at several locations  
 
1987   continuation of Abandon - funded by the Dutch government's arrangement for artists: BKR; regrettably in june 1987 this arrangement has been abolished which almost led to the bankruptcy of Abandon   Top of page
 
ESP's II   video production; series of 'Electronic Study Pieces'; composition of computer generated and recorded material; concrete; (video tape) 20 mins; viewings at several locations  
 
Billets at Large   16 sheets of computer versus manual graphics; excerpt from 'Billets'; (silk screening) limited edition 50 pcs.  
 
Dawn   video production; Dawn project rearrangement; poetic; (video tape) 30 mins; viewings at several locations  
 
1988   continuation of Abandon - partly funded by the 'Amsterdam fund for artists; architects and designers' and the Centre for visual arts Rotterdam  
 
ESP's III   video production; series of 'Electronic Study Pieces'; composition of computer generated and recorded material; concrete; (video tape) 22 mins; viewings at several locations  
 
The generative 
machine		   start of a survey on the implications using computers in art projects and the possibility to have a never ending memory; application of micro computer - basic programming; narrative  
 
Dawn Papers   box containing printed matter; audio and video tape; Dawn project rearrangement; poetic; (offset; silk-screening; handy work; audio and video tape) limited edition 50 pcs.  
 
1989   continuation of Abandon - partly funded by the 'Amsterdam fund for artists; architects and designers' and the Centre for visual arts Rotterdam 
 
The regular printing activities are suspended, due to environmental concerns: too low issue numbers at high levels of toxic chemicals needed for reproduction		   Top of page
 
The kids project   series of computer projects with kids at primary schools; part of the survey on 'the generative machine'; narrative; Umatic video tape: 30 mins; collaboration with SKVR (council for creative education) Rotterdam  
 
The generative 
machine		   continuation of the survey on the implications using computers in art projects and the possibility to have a never ending memory; application of micro computer - basic programming; narrative; performance and discussions at several locations; paper Dutch (offset) limited edition 500 pcs.  
 
Abandon 
Floppy Mag		   attempt for a magazine on floppy disks (Amiga platform); each floppy contains one item; assembler and Amos basic programming; 3,5" floppy disks; limited edition 500 pcs. per issue; nr. 1 - 4  
 
1990   continuation of Abandon - partly funded by the 'Amsterdam fund for artists; architects and designers' and the Centre for visual arts Rotterdam  
 
Abandon 
Floppy Mag		   continuation of the magazine on floppy disks (Amiga platform); assembler and Amos basic programming; 3,5" floppy disks; limited edition 500 pcs. per issue; nr. 5 - 9  
 
Off the record   video production; 'requiem for obsolete media'; poetic; (video tape) 17 mins; viewings at several locations  
 
1991   continuation of Abandon - partly funded by the the Centre for visual arts Rotterdam  
 
Abandon 
Floppy Mag		   continuation of the magazine on floppy disks (Amiga platform); assembler and Amos basic programming; 3,5" floppy disks; limited edition 500 pcs. per issue; last issue nr. 10  
 
Abandon 
CDTV Mag		   following the attempt for the magazine on floppy disks, start of a new approach: now on CDTV CD Rom; interactive (Amiga CDTV platform); courtesy of Commodore Holland  
 
Fascimile   installation with audio, video and sculptural components on the subject of fascination; poetic; (wood; hatchets; faggots; silk; stripped tv-sets; video equipment;)  (incorporated into the Dawn project at a later stage)  
 
1992   continuation of Abandon - partly funded by the the Centre for visual arts Rotterdam  
 
Abandon 
CDTV Mag		   CDTV CD Rom; interactive (Amiga CDTV platform); courtesy of Commodore Holland; the magazine has been discontinued due to the failure of the CDTV platform; result: one CDTV master (Amiga format); viewings at several locations   Top of page
 
Visa Machina   video production; composition with recordings of industrial sites near Rotterdam; concrete; (video tape) 9 mins; viewings at several locations  
 
CCS drawer   mini installation in 'a drawer'; interactive computer controlled sound installation; (Amiga computer; wood; aluminium; speakers; control logic); Phoebus Rotterdam 'chest of drawers' project   CCS-drawer
 
1993   continuation of Abandon - partly funded by the the Centre for visual arts Rotterdam  
 
Fascmile tape   video production; the subject of fascination; poetic; (video tape) 17 mins; viewings at several locations 
(incorporated into the Dawn project at a later stage)		  
 
Fervet Opus   installation with audio, video and sculptural components on the subject of old and new (electronic) media; poetic; (old Philips TV; neon light bulb; tower of speakers; a round table; a screen with a small LCD TV set)  
 
1994   Abandon isn't very active due to the lack of funding... but the work for 'Dawn' and the work on the generative machine continues  
 
Dawn 
CD Rom		   'Dawn' exploration of ideas in an interactive environment; Dawn project rearrangement; poetic; CD Rom; limited edition (on demand) Macintosh and Windows format  
 
1995   Abandon isn't very active due to the lack of funding... but the work on video and on the generative machine continues  
 
Wind - Break   computer animation and video footage about the huge concrete wind - break buildings in the Rotterdam Europort; poetic; video tape 5 mins; viewings at several locations   wind 
concrete 
wind
 
Stones story   video production about stone and the organic structure on stones; originated in the Ardeche France; recordings at location and computer shaping; poetic; video tape 5 mins; viewings at several locations  
 
1996   Abandon continues with partial funding from an individual relation; acquisition of a computer controlled non linear video system  
 
Abandon 
'on line'		   first attempt of an internet site for Abandon; hosted by 'HR&O' Rotterdam (see archive)  
 
Visa 
Machina (2)		   reconstruction of the video production with the aid of non linear editing; quality enhancing; addition of some new elements; concrete & poetic; (video tape) 7 mins; viewings at several locations   Top of page
 
1997   Abandon isn't very active due to the lack of funding... but the work on video and on the generative machine continues  
 
A Rose   video production about the poetic theme of the rose; several recordings at location and computer shaping; poetic; video tape 5 mins; viewings at several locations  
 
Abandon 
ruminate		   due to the intrinsic properties of magnetic media and the vastly enhanced possibilities of the digital domain, it's planned to revise all projects and studies of Abandon into digital conversion on ISO media  
 
1998   Abandon still isn't very active due to the lack of funding... but some of the work continues.  
 
Abandon 
the site		   the de-re-construction of Abandon the site at a new location and with better HTML compatibility  
 
A virtual 
photograph		   start of a CD Rom production for an interactive photograph; looking closer and explore items on the picture; Macintosh and Windows format (delayed due to the lack of funding)   Top of page
 
Abandon 
ruminate		   continue to revise all projects and studies of Abandon into digital conversion on ISO media (which is one hell of a job really)  
 
1999   Abandon recent projects and futere plans  
 
Dawn 
CD Rom		   De-re-construction of the CD Rom 'Dawn'; in accordance to meet newer standards and possibilities; Dawn project rearrangement; poetic; Macintosh and Windows format  
 
Dawn 3D   interactive 3D environment to explore ; Dawn project rearrangement; poetic; 'Acknex' virtual 3D development system; Dos & Windows format; maybe Macintosh format at a later stage  
 
Green Box   "The Green Box", by Marcel Duchamp transcribed to CD-Rom media for Windows and Apple Macintosh computers. Expected release date :september 2000 

The production of the CD-Rom is a joint venture of:  
Dick Harmsen/Abandon, the Museum Boijmans Rotterdam and the Netherlands Architecture Institute Publishers (NAi publishers, Rotterdam)

   NAi publishers HOME
 
 
Concepts 
Web site on CD		   large (at least 500 á 600 Mb.) web site - if it can't be on the net, then on CD Rom; based on the notion of 'the generative machine'  
 
2000   Abandon future plans  
 
Green Box   the work on "The Green Box", by Marcel Duchamp transcribed to CD-Rom media for Windows and Apple Macintosh computers, continues  
 
CCS drawer   At the 10 years anniversary of activities of Gallery PHŒBUS• Rotterdam, the mini installation in 'a drawer' is installed again; 'chest of drawers' project - 21-1 / 21-5 2000 - Gallery PHŒBUS• Rotterdam.   CCS-drawer
 
Abandon 
ruminate		   conclusion of the revision of all projects and studies of Abandon into digital conversion on ISO media (which is one hell of a job really)  
 
 
 
  
There are 3 types of classifications used throughout this list:  
  
concrete > merely formal, abstract, explorations of techniques etc.   
poetic > associative visual combinations, often with (short) texts and words & letter forms narrative > thematic, engaged, combinations of textual and visual elements  
   
The meaning of 'limited edition' is most often a consequence of funding restrictions, sometimes because of the handy work involved and in a few occasions also a matter of tiredness. Virtually all printing, binding and handy work has been done by Abandon itself (a consequence of funding restrictions as well) 
 
 
E-mail: 
   info@abandon.nl . Top of page
 
. • Stichting Abandon • p/a Josephstraat 97-B • 3014 TL Rotterdam • Netherlands • Europe •