About
QUEST
Founded in 2018, Sickhouse is a playful art space that explores the transformations of our society through digital culture. Interactive art, movies, games and music are presented in our physical space and online through extraordinary events, exhibitions, screenings, festivals, let's play, talks, meet up, research, parties and more. Sickhouse programs are developed as open research towards The Overkill, our annual festival. The interdisciplinary and participatory programs focus on play, experiment and fiction as stimulation for critical reflection, connections and empathy. The participating artists and makers are explorers of virtual technologies, new media, gaming, films, mapping, 3D environment, social media…
Sickhouse inspires with a high-quality and critical program and brings a diverse range of international artists and makers to Enschede. In search of the new developments, tendencies and digital habits of our society, Sickhouse confronts its audience with groundbreaking technologies, alternative projects and diverse approaches to progress.
Example : first time VR in the Rijksmuseum Twenthe 2015 / a stage for live coding since 2017 / Bias in AI by The Zizi Show by Jake Eelwes during GB 2021…
Playfulness, flexibility and caring make Sickhouse unique.
Sickhouse is looking for new and different ways to understand each other; develop empathy and care. Its programs support reflections on identity, collectivity, techno-ecosystems, our human condition in a world in crisis and in the process of digitization. Sickhouse co-produces interactive and interdisciplinary research under the name SickLAB and invites artists and makers to collaborate and dive into these topics.
As a space for expression and reflection, the programs reflect the different ideas and stories of the many visitors, participants and partners of Sickhouse. Collaboration comes in this process as evidence.
Sickhouse makes room for creative thinkers, new talents and curious minds to experiment, go on stage, try out, develop their own programs.
The team of Sickhouse is an international group of passionate people, aware of their responsibility as the host of an open public space. Together they make it a priority
to be a safe space for its visitors and for its team. This means that the team is actively working on accessibility, hosting and prevention skills within the spaces and programs.
As an undefined space, Sickhouse empowers its team, guests, participants and visitors to give it the function they need. Sickhouse supports everyone in exploring their identity and seeking alternative ways to be in our society.
At Sickhouse you will find a cinema, a flexible space for exhibition/concert/game evenings/party, a bar and studio spaces. Sickhouse has a collection of (retro) games, game consoles, VR headsets and cameras that are accessible to the participants of our labs and workshops. Sickhouse is active online with regular streaming events such as let's play, live exploration, talks and music. Our Mozilla Hubs, created by artists, is our virtual space to host exhibitions of our archives and workshops. Sickhouse is also open as a co-working space and rents out its spaces and services for meetings, presentations, private events, etc…
Sickhouse is financed thanks to the support of local, regional and national funds and the public revenue.
HOUSE RULES
SAFE SPACE
Sickhouse
is dedicated to offer a safe space, harassment free social experience to everyone. In order to join or organise an event in our space, Sickhouse asks you to read, respect and endorse these regulations.
We like Sickhouse to be a place where you feel free to act and react and let your inner-self free. But we ask you to be aware of others around you who might be a bit more shy or appreciate a softer vibe. Let's enjoy the space all together! There should be room for all playful minds.
The team of Sickhouse is here for you. If anything happens to you or someone around you, they can help you.
GENERAL RULES
- No drugs - Alcohol is only served to visitors aged 18 or older. You may be asked for your identification. - After 10 p.m Sickhouse is 18+
If the house rules are violated, a local ban for Sickhouse may be issued.
- For more security and easier administration, we prefer PIN payment at the entrance and at the bar. - Follow the instructions of the event volunteers and security, they are clearly recognizable by their work clothes;
TEAM
Marie Janin
- Co-Director // marie@theoverkill.nl
Aike Lütkemöller
-Co-Director // aike@theoverkill.nl
Vincent verhagen
- Business Manager
Yari Rabadan
- Volunteers coordinator & Social Media // yari@theoverkill.nl
Puck Verras
- D&D coordinator
Niels F.Rodenburg
- Public relations // niels@theoverkill.nl
Dagmar van den Bogaard -
Bar manager
Zuraida Buter
- Mentor game program
Chris Spruijtenburg
- Resident
Gert-Jan Bos
- Resident
Noah Freriksen
- Resident
VOLUNTEER WITH US!
If you are into playfulness + digital culture, you want to have fun + make new friends, and you want to learn some new skills + fueling Enschede’s scene, you are definitely in the right place.
Sickhouse is the digital playground of Enschede! It is formed by a stage for live music and performances, an open space for exhibitions and workshops, a cinema, a bar, and a co-working space. Sickhouse is run by a small team, and we need your help to be open and offer our program to the world.
We want to make room for experiments and alternative narratives. And we want to be a safe space for all our visitors, guided by an atmosphere of open-mindedness, respect, and kindness.
Thank you for your interest in being part of this community.
Write to yari@sickhouse.nl and we will get in touch with you very soon!