The past few months, I have been hosting Mending Evenings at Lola Lijn, a new buurtkamer (community center) in Sloterdijk, where many residents have recently moved into the area. The bi-monthly evenings were slow, quiet, and a lot of fun. Some residents came and went, and some became regulars. We were all strangers in the beginning, but the items we brought with us offered small glimpses into each other’s lives.
A baby onesie, a hand-knit sweater, a brand-new hat, a floral summer dress, a gray sock, a pair of pants with a hole in the pocket, and many more items were repaired at Lola Lijn. Each mend helped us get to know one another a little better.
To celebrate the many repairs, the end of the year, and the end of my Artist-in-Residence at Lola Lijn, we present “Hoe leer ik jou kennen?”, a collection of personal items mended by local residents. Alongside the exhibition, we’re hosting a special Mending Evening to premiere the new sewing machine and Mend Kit for the community.
Join us at Lola Lijn this Friday to learn about your neighbors, hem your jeans, repair a sweater, and enjoy good music with @buurtwerkplaatjes.
Date | Friday, 19 December 2025
Time | 17:00–22:00 (@buurtwerkplaatjes from 19:00)
Place | Lola Lijn (Radarweg 309, 1043 NZ Amsterdam)
Emma Fukuwatari Huffman 