I grew up in modern post war living areas: everything was planned there and thought of, but as usual theory and practice did not relate to each other. I did not like the “life” in a modern living area, where even the picking of flowers was forbidden. I wanted the “real life” at the market near the harbour with all its activities, people and goods. I preferred to roam around in those areas where the building of new apartments still went on. My studies involved urban planning and after that building norms and standards from all over Europe. Later I got involved in experimental housing projects and public participation.

The Venster Gallery and the Boymans Museum in Rotterdam were in a certain period very well known and attracted many international guests: I met all kinds of inspiring artists and often assisted them with their installations. I turned away from urban planning and architecture. Years later, sitting in the restaurant at the Fernsehturm in former Eastern Berlin I saw the many modern building blocks built in former Eastern Berlin and recognized the same old atmosphere, the same good intentions and the same lack of “life”.

But now I did not feel responsible anymore. The character of my work had changed: building in itself, as a proces became essential: to get people involved was what I wanted: I make the proposals, I start the project and organise the social networks and others, all those involved, realise “their” project. That is why so many people who participated in my projects, looking back after many years, smile and say let us do it again. That is my contribution to the world of today.

The Fisherman Project brought hundreds of students and non-students together from many different nationalities, backgrounds and cultures, from inside and outside of Rotterdam. the theme in rotterdam was cooperation. The coming projects will be similar, but with different accents: “exchange” between Rotterdam and the rest of the world will be the theme of one project. The the theme of the other project is intended for Berlin / Germany will be “peace” .

(Ger C. Bout, Rotterdam / The Netherlands, september 2006)