LWNS is a cycling, art, & research project that explores the concept of autonomy and freedom in a land that considers itself (neo)liberal, but practices ultra-high levels of state oversight and land management.
Since 2020 the last of the “Paalkamperen” free public campsites were closed down. While these were technically managed by the state agency Staatsbosbeheer, they were somewhat autonomous spaces with minimal rules, and no cost for use. The closure of these, allegedly due to improper use (shuttering is easier than teaching how to dispose of litter) parallels the ongoing and increasing trend of community-run spaces within cities being violently shut by municipalities and their agents of enforcement.
This body of research is being incrementally and collectively carried out through cycling journeys, workshops, and events. The first of which occurred on 28 September in collaboration with Platte Gang. This route connected and rediscovered what remains at two closed paalkampeerterreinen, and critically explored freedom and restriction of movement and space in the Netherlands.
Through sharing resources, discussion, standing in the woods, and group workshopping we came up with proposals for building an experimental people’s “countryside code” for the Netherlands.
PROJECT STOKER: James Crossley is a designer, artist, and community organiser, who’s practice dissects physical, social, and political binaries and boundaries, often by bike.