Tippel to Top

TIPPELZONE PROJECT EINDHOVEN PROJETO PARA O TERCEIRO TRIMESTRE DE MESTRADO EM DESIGN

TRABALHO EM GRUPO: ANDREA BANDONI estudante nacionalidade: BRASIL DAVIDE DULCETTI estudante nacionalidade: BRASIL JOANA MEROZ estudante nacionalidade: BRASIL

CONTENTS ANALYSIS BRAZILIAN PERSPECTIVE

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RONALDO CASE STUDY

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SOCIAL WELFARE SYSTEM

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PROPOSALS 1ST PROPOSAL: DRIVE THROUGH SEX

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2ND PROPOSAL: FROM TIPPEL TO TRUST

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3RD PROPOSAL: FROM TIPPEL TO TOP

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50-50 PROJECT

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MANUAL LABOUR

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RED LIGHT FASHION

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BRIEF FOR DESIGNERS

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TIPPEL TO TOP WEBSITE

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SERVICE ROOM

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APPENDIX EDITH VAN BERKEL / JONGERIUS.LAB

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EVELYN NIEUWEHEISEN

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ADRYO TOORIANS

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CONNY GROENEWEGEN

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DAVID WARNDOFF

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WORKSHOP: EXPRESS YOURSELF

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THE BOOK OF JOY

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JEANNE VAN HEESWIJK

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CARETAKERS

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MANIFESTO

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THE STARTING POINT OF THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN THE FACT THAT THE GROUP CONSISTS OF THREE BRAZILIANS THAT SHARE THE SAME BACKGROUND. IN OUR PERSPECTIVE, HOLLAND MANAGED TO SOLVE ITS PROSTITUTION AND DRUG PROBLEMS REALLY WELL, ORGANIZING IT IN AN ADMIRABLE AND FRIENDLY WAY. AND STILL, TO OUR SURPRISE, HOLLAND FEELS IT HAS TO DEAL WITH A ‘PROBLEM’.

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WHEN WE COMPARED THE PROBLEMS IN HOLLAND AND BRAZIL, FOR INSTANCE BY COMPARING NUMBERS OF PROSTITUTES, WE WERE SURPRISED TO SEE THE LARGE DISPARITY IN SCALE. IF WE SAY ‘HOLLAND EXAGGERATES ITS PROBLEMS’, WE DON’T INTEND TO EITHER JUSTIFY GIVING OR NOT GIVING HELP TO INDIVIDUALS, BUT RATHER WE WANT TO GIVE A SENSE OF PERSPECTIVE ON THE ACTUAL SIZE OF THE PROBLEM. AFTER ALL, IN THE CITY OF EINDHOVEN, WE ARE MERELY TALKING ABOUT 20 ADDICTED PROSTITUTES. THE NETHERLANDS

BRAZIL

Population: 16 million people

Population: 191 million people

25.000 prostitutes

1.000.000 prostitutes

1 prostitute for every 260 men

1 prostitute for every 95 men

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CRACK-O-LAND - SAO PAULO

THIS MAKES US WONDER WHY DUTCH SOCIETY WANTS TO BE SO PERFECT AS TO NOT EVEN BE ABLE TO ACCEPT THAT A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION WILL ALWAYS BE PROBLEMATIC. APART FROM THAT WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE AN UNDERGROUND THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. AND WHY SHOULD IT BE CONTROLLED. WE DON’T SEE PERVERSION AND FETISH FOR THE SOCALLED TRASH OF SOCIETY AS A SICKNESS BUT WELCOME IT AS A NORMAL PART OF HUMAN NATURE.

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MEAT PARK DISTRICT - NY

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CHRISTIANIA - KOPENHAGEN

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street transvestite 14

ronaldo s fiancee

LAST MONTH, RONALDO, THE FAMOUS BRAZILIAN SOCCER PLAYER, PICKED UP 3 STREET TRANSVESTITES, INSTEAD OF CALLING ONE OF THE MANY LUXURY PROSTITUTES HE CAN CERTAINLY AFFORD. THIS SHOWS THAT EVEN A MAN WHO IS AN “IDOL” TO MANY AND WHO HAS “EVERYTHING” (EVEN A SEXY GIRLFRIEND) STILL DESIRES THE DARKER SIDE OF LIFE.

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job agency in Brazil 20

WE THINK THAT THE REAL PROBLEM OF THE TIPPELZONE IS CAUSED BY THE DUTCH QUEST FOR ULTIMATE SOCIAL PERFECTION, AND BY THE PATERNALISTIC DUTCH GOVERNMENT. IN HOLLAND, THE SOCIAL WELFARE SYSTEM, WHILE HELPING THOSE IN NEED, ALSO HAS THE SIDE EFFECT OF CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROLONGATION OF SOME PROBLEMS, RATHER THAN SOLVING IT. IN A WAY THE TIPPELZONE HELPS PEOPLE TO CONTINUE THEIR DRUG ADDICTION AS WELL AS MAKING THEM ADDICTED TO THE FREE HELP AND SUPPORT THAT THE GOVERNMENT GIVES. INSTEAD OF BEING PATERNALISTIC, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENCOURAGE AND REWARD SELFINITIATIVE AND INDIVIDUAL SELF-CARE.

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job agency in The Netherlands 22

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IN THIS CASE WE SEE OUR ROLES AS IN THIS CASE WE SEE OUR ROLES AS DESIGNING A SYSTEM THAT: DESIGNING A SYSTEM THAT: 1) ACCEPTS AND TRIES TO MAINTAIN THE 1) ACCEPTS AND TRIES TO MAINTAIN THE TIPPELZONE INSTEAD OF TRYING TO RETIPPELZONE INSTEAD OF TRYING TO REDESIGN IT DESIGN IT 2) HELPS THE PROSTITUTES NOT BY GIVING 2) HELPS THE PROSTITUTES NOT BY GIVING FREELY BUT BY ASKING SOMETHING BACK FREELY BUT BY ASKING SOMETHING BACK FROM THEM FROM THEM 3) GRADUALLY CUTS GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY 3) GRADUALLY CUTS GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY

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1ST PROPOSAL: DRIVE THROUGH SEX THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO MAKE THE TIPPELZONE FINANCIALLY SELF-SUSTAINING. ONE WAY TO ACHIEVE THIS WOULD BE TO USE THE SYSTEM OF A PARKING LOT. HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS: - THE CLIENT PAYS A SMALL FEE TO ENTER THE TIPPELZONE AT THE FRONT GATE. - THE TICKET IS VALID FOR A SET PERIOD OF TIME, LIKE 1 HOUR. WITHIN THAT TIME THE CLIENT CAN DRIVE IN AND OUT OF THE TIPPELZONE WITHOUT BUYING ANOTHER TICKET. THE WEAK POINTS OF THIS PROPOSAL ARE: 1) The income generated would not be enough. A rough calculation would be: If each client pays €1, and there are 50 clients per night, total: €18,500 / year Represents 3,7 % of the current government investment (€500,000) 2) This system would not really give other options for the prostitutes to change their life or for the situation to develop into another direction.

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2ND PROPOSAL: FROM TIPPEL TO TRUST THE GOALS OF THIS PROJECT ARE: 1) TO DIVERSIFY THE INCOME FOR THE PROSTITUTES AND FOR THE TIPPELZONE. 2) INTRODUCE SOCIAL INTEGRATION POSSIBILITIES TO THE PROSTITUTES IN ORDER TO CREATE BRIDGES OF TRUST BETWEEN THEM AND SOCIETY. THIS PROPOSAL IS BASED ON THE RESEARCH DONE WITH THE TIPPELZONE PROSTITUTES, CONSIDERING THAT: 1) NO PROSTITUTES LIKE TO PROSTITUTE THEMSELVES 2) IT’S REALLY DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF THEIR SITUATION BECAUSE THEY NEED THE MONEY TO BUY DRUGS. BUT GIVEN THEIR ADDICTION THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIT INSIDE NORMAL WORKING CONDITIONS. EVEN WINDOW PROSTITUTION IS TOO STRUCTURED FOR THEM.

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3) THEY HAVE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE DAY: DURING A FEW HOURS EACH DAY THEY MIGHT BECOME VERY PRODUCTIVE IN OTHER KINDS OF WORK. THE CONCLUSION DRAWN IS THAT INSTEAD OF TRYING TO CHANGE THE TIPPELZONE, IT WOULD BE BEST TO TRY TO ACCEPT THE SITUATION AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AS IT IS, AND TO TRY TO FIND WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY FOR CHANGE. HOW THE PROPOSAL WORKS: 1) THE PROSTITUTES WOULD WORK AT SPECIFIC PLACES IN SOCIETY, LIKE FOR EXAMPLE A PLANT SHOP. SINCE THE WOMEN HAVE SOME MOMENTS IN THE DAY IN WHICH THEY MIGHT BECOME PRODUCTIVE, THERE SHOULD BE FLEXIBLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORK.

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WE WOULD HAVE TO RESEARCH WHICH SPECIFIC WORKS THEY ARE ABLE TO DO AND WHICH PLACES ARE WILLING OR FITTING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM, IN ORDER TO CREATE A BRIDGE BETWEEN COMPANIES AND PROSTITUTES. 2) THE PROSTITUTES COULD WORK IN SMALL TIME INCREMENTS AND GET PAID FOR IT ON THE SPOT INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR THE END OF THE MONTH. IN THIS WAY THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO COMMIT THEMSELVES TO A FIXED SCHEDULE LIKE IN A NORMAL JOB. 3) A PERCENTAGE OF THE MONEY THAT THE PROSTITUTES MAKE WOULD BE USED TO SUPPORT THE BASIC NECESSITIES OF THE TIPPELZONE. The strong point of this proposal is the introduction of social values such as sense of responsibility. A weak point could be the discrimination against prostitutes in the companies involved.

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DASPU CATWALK

3RD PROPOSAL: FROM TIPPEL TO TOP THIS PROPOSAL IS RESPECTFUL TO THE LIMITATIONS AND POTENTIALS OF THE TIPPELZONE PROSTITUTES THEMSELVES. LOOKING AT OUR CULTURAL BACKGROUND, WE FOUND A COMMERCIAL SUCCESS CREATED BY BRAZILIAN PROSTITUTES, DASPU. THE DASPU PROGRAM IS AN INITIATIVE OF THE PROSTITUTES THEMSELVES, WHO CREATED A FASHION BRAND TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THEIR CAUSE. IT WAS SO SUCCESSFULL THAT IT QUICKLY BECAME INTEGRATED INTO THE MAINSTREAM OF FASHION. THE WOMEN EVEN SHOWED THEIR FIRST COLLECTION DURING THE MOST IMPORTANT FASHION FAIR IN SOUTH AMERICA. 41

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DASPU CATWALK

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DASPU CATWALK Even the figure of the pimp is represented in the Daspu collection

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RESEARCHING THE FASHION SCENE IN THE NETHERLANDS, WE SAW THAT THE 50-50 PROJECT FROM THE SALVATION ARMY WAS A FINANCIAL SUCCESS. THE COLLECTION IS MADE FROM REMADE CLOTHING AND IS SCREEN PRINTED WITH GRAPHICS FROM POPULAR DESIGNERS.

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SO, WE HAD THE IDEA TO GIVE THE PROSTITUTES IN EINDHOVEN THE POSSIBILITY OF DOING AN ALTERNATIVE FORM OF MANUAL LABOUR DURING THE PERIODS THEY ARE PRODUCTIVE (MANUAL LABOR IS USED IN MANY REHAB PROGRAMS AS THERAPY). SINCE MOST WOMEN HAVE PROVEN TO BE CREATIVE - AFTER ALL THEY SOMEHOW SURVIVED ON THE STREETS MAYBE THEY COULD USE THEIR CREATIVITY IN ANOTHER WAY, FOR INSTANCE BY MAKING CLOTHES AND SELL THEM TO MAKE MONEY TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES.

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HOWEVER, SINCE THE TIPPELZONE IS SO MUCH ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF SOCIETY, WE WONDERED WHERE THESE CLOTHES COULD BE SOLD. WE REALIZED THAT THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT IN AMSTERDAM WOULD BE THE PERFECT PLACE TO SELL THE CLOTHES, SINCE IT IS AN INTERNATIONAL BRAND THAT IS POSITIVELY CONNECTED TO PROSTITUTION AND TO DRUGS.

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THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT IS LESS TOLERANT OF PROSTITUTION, SO THEY ARE TRYING TO GET THE PROSTITUTES OUT, FOR INSTANCE BY CREATING WINDOWS FOR YOUNG FASHION DESIGNERS. BY DOING THIS, THE GOVERNMENT IS CREATING A CONFLICTING SITUATION BETWEEN THE PROSTITUTES AND FASHION. WE WANT TO TURN IT AROUND AND MAKE THE MOST OF THE NEW POLICY TO BECOME BENEFICIAL INSTEAD OF DETRIMENTAL TO PROSTITUTION.

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OUR PLAN: THE YOUNG FASHION DESIGNERS WHO ARE WORKING IN THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT OF AMSTERDAM CAN DESIGN THE CLOTHES AND THE TIPPELZONE PROSTITUTES OF EINDHOVEN WILL MAKE THEM. IN ORDER TO MAKE IT WORK, THE DESIGNERS WILL RECEIVE A BRIEF, EXPLAINING MORE ABOUT WORKING WITH THE SPECIFIC TALENTS ÁND LIMITATIONS OF ADDICTED PROSTITUTES.

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BRIEF FOR DESIGNERS USING THE “FROM TIPPLE TO TOP PROGRAM�

1. Incorporate the fact that the result of the work of the addicted prostitutes will probably be imperfect, so that imperfection has to be part of the design.

Extremely simple working processes and solutions will have to be part of the design. The exact degree of liberty and interference that the prostitutes can play with, while executing the designs, are naturally up to the designer.

He or she might use the talents and limitations in a favorable way.

2. While designing, the designer must be conscious of the fact that the prostitutes can work in unknown incre-

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PROTOTYPE 64

END RESULT OUTCOME 65

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WE CREATED A WEBSITE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE FASHION DESIGNERS INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING ON THE PROJECT AND THE TIPPELZONE. THE WEBISTE CAN ALSO BE A TOOL TO GENERATE INCOME BY SELLING THE PRODUCED CLOTHES ONLINE, AS WELL AS SERVING TO ADVERTISE THE VISION OF TIPPEL TO TOP TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

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storage health control room WC

WC + shower

foods drinks

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THE TIPPEL TO TOP PROGRAM COULD NEVER EXIST UNDER THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, SO TO SYMBOLIZE THE CHANGE AND ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NEW PERSPECTIVE, WE PROPOSE TO TRANSFORM THE “LIVING ROOM” INTO A “SERVICE ROOM”.

IN THIS NEW SPACE, THERE’S NO CARETAKER, BUT A PERSON WITH MANAGERIAL SKILLS, AND WHO HAS BASIC PSYCHOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL TRAINING. THE JOB OF THIS PERSON CONSISTS IN OPENING THE SPACE, KEEPING CHECK OF THE STORAGE, SCHEDULING PSYCHOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL SUPPORT FOR THE PROSTITUTES, AND MAINLY MANAGING THE TIPPLE TO TOP TASKS: THE PAYMENT, THE AMOUNT OF CLOTHES, THE MATERIAL AND THE CONNECTION WITH FASHION DESIGNERS. The place is open 24h. The prostitutes can work for tipple to top whenever they want, and the services are there all the time.

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IF THE TIPPELZONE FAILS TO DELIVER THE WORK, IT DOESN’T RECEIVE THE MONEY CORRESPONDENT TO A SPECIFIC PROJECT. MANY FAILS COULD ULTIMATELY LEAD TO THE CLOSING OF THE TIPPELZONE. IF THE PROGRAM WORKS, IT COULD POSSIBLY BE EXTENDED TO ALL OTHER TIPPELZONES IN HOLLAND. WHILE USING INSPIRATION FROM OUR BRAZILIAN BACKGROUND, IN THIS PROPOSAL WE CREATE A SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS THE CONTINUATION OF THE TIPPELZONE WITHIN A DUTCH CONTEXT AND GENERATES AN ALTERNATIVE INCOME FOR THE PROSTITUTES,

BY RESPECTING THEIR LIMITATIONS AND MAKING THE MOST OF THEIR POSSIBILITIES.

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APPENDIX

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APPENDIX 01 Name: Edith van Berkel / Jongerius.lab Profession: designer Location: Baan 74, 3011 CD Rotterdam, The Netherlands Date: 26/05/08 Why was contacted: Experience in working with low skilled women to create designs that celebrate imperfection.

Main questions and answers: Q1. What would your suggestions be on how to start working with these women?

A1. You need to set up and environment for these women to work. My philosophy is to let them participate in these ideas so they can think about conditions in how they want to work. Let them be committed.

Analyse what they can do and how skilled they are. Who is a leader and who is creative.

Q2. Do you have suggestions about how we can structure the workshop?

A2. The program needs to be very clear and practical and there should be no misunderstandings on the procedure, how they can participate or be kicked out if they don’t deliver. In the end it is a serious business 78

with the aim to be self sustaining.

Q3. How can we take the most out of the workshop?

A3 In our program the best results came with having one teacher and several women to do the work. Let them work together in the beginning to learn from each other. Things like that help setting up a workshop.

Communicate is crucial. Knowledge on how much time they can spend working on the fashion items is vital, otherwise you can’t deliver and make promises to the industry.

Suggestions to the project: Working with low skilled women takes time and patience and great effort from your side. If it works out it’s also rewarding too.

Our remarks: The suggestions were integrated in the designing of the workshops as well as the communication with all of the people involved in the Tippelzone project.

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APPENDIX 02 Name: Evelyn Nieuweheisen Profession: Owner of Delicatessen Sterk Staaltje Location: Staalstraat 12, 1011 JL Amsterdam, Netherlands Date: 27/05/08 Why was contacted: Has developed an interesting and sustainable working relationship with alcoholics.

Main questions and answers: Q1. How did you first start working with alcoholics?

A1. They first start coming here as customers to buy alcohol. But then it often happens they don’t have money. Then I start to propose an exchange, that they will help me with doing some work and I will give them some beer. Sometimes they also want some sweets, but I try to encourage them to eat some real food instead.

Q2. Do you feel that you have some sort of authority over the alcoholics who work in your shop due to the fact that you employ them?

A2. Yes, they listen to me. For instance, when they are smelling bad and I tell them to take a shower, they do. When they are loud and bothering other people I tell them to quiet down and they listen. They know that their employment with me is dependent on their behaving 80

properly, so they respect me. Also, they never stole anything here.

Q3. If other businesses would like to start working with addicted persons, what advice would you give to them?

A3. To not depend on them. They come and they go when they want, so if you need something done, you have to organize it yourself. If you give them something to do, it has to be something that is not difficult, that can’t break – something like manual labor.

Suggestions to the project: That working together with addicts will only work if there’s a general sense of community. A feeling of mutual responsibility is more important than government intervention.

Our remarks: The Delicatessen Sterk Staaltje is a living proof that working together with addicts is completely possible, sustainable, and desirable.

Obviously society has to accept addicts and try to give them a place instead of making them into outcasts.

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APPENDIX 03 Name: Adryo Toorians Profession: Salvation Army Coordinator Location: Eindhoven Date: 30/05/08 Why was contacted: Due to the importance of the Salvation Army in the Tippelzone.

Main questions and answers: Q1. Do you think the prostitutes can be interested in doing another kind of job? Can they do it when they are socially approachable?

A1. I think the prostitutes are a bit afraid of getting out of this life because of the “real world”- where they have to pay their debts and taxes. They are also very dependent on the pimps, who don’t want them to get out of prostitution. Each woman has a different life story, but usually these stories include violence.

Q2. Which kind of work can they do? Is sewing a good idea?

A2. They can do works where there’s no pressure on them, inside a safe environment, with familiar faces – this things are the most important. They can fix small things, and to use their creativity is a good idea. There are sewing machines in the Tippelzone, and some 84

women really want to make clothes.

Q3. Does any kind of social program was tried with the prostitutes before?

A3. No. But the social programs must try to structure and offer a new opportunity in their lives.

Suggestions to the project: Some time ago, Adryo found a nice place at Soestdijk II, very close to the Tippelzone, and proposed a project for it. It would be a place for the prostitutes to do creative activities in the other moments of the day, when they are not prostituting. There they can also share food and have a gallery to exhibit their production.

But it would cost the government too much and so the Salvation Army abandoned the idea.

Our remarks: The women must be involved in every step in the program created.

The relationship must be based on trust. It’s important to keep them anonymous, and to pay them on the spot seems to be a good idea.

Pride also plays an important role in giving identity to these women.

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APPENDIX 04 Name: Conny Groenewegen Profession: Fashion Designer Location: Amsterdam Date: 05/06/08 Why was contacted: Conny is a young fashion designer with a window in the Red Light District in Amsterdam, and was interested in the possibility of participating in the Tippel to Top program.

Main questions and answers: Q1. Recently you joined the Red Light Fashion in Amsterdam, that put fashion designers in former prostitute windows. Do you feel that you your work is integrated in the context?

A1. No, I don’t feel that I’m completely integrated in that kind of environment, and actually on the last days I’ve been reflecting on how could I be part of that scenario.

Q2. What do you think about a system that joins fashion designers and addicted prostitutes, dealing with their limitations ?

A2. I think it’s a wonderful idea. I have some experience in integrating low profile work in my designs, so it’s realistic and “doable” in fashion .

It would be nice to give a new opportunity to these women.

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Q3. Would you like to participate in this program? If yes, could you give some insights on how you would work with them?

A3. Yes, I’m definitely in. I think that we could give tasks that would not need previous skills to be done. But also that the prostitutes could express themselves, being part of design, not merely working on it.

Suggestions to the project: You could set up this program that could work with other designers too.

Our remarks: Conny was the first designer that joined the program.

She helped us building up a workshop for the prostitutes. Her work is well known, and this connection will play an important role on making visible to the society our project.

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APPENDIX 05 Name: David Warndorff Profession: Doctor and Psychologist Location: Hoofddorp / Hospital Date: 12/06/08 Why was contacted: To understand better the drug addicted condition.

Main questions and answers: Q1. Can a drug addicted person (heroin and cocaine) do manual labor? Does it help in their rehabilitation?

A1. Yes, they can work if they want. After they do something different than only getting drugs, it helps in their prevention of becoming readdicted, keeping them clean. It can play an important role in rising their self esteem because it brings meaning to their lives.

Q2. How should the person in charge of these prostitutes treat them?

A2. They should be treated like equal, not from the above. This assignment should have been first addressed to the prostitutes themselves, telling them the truth about the situation and asking them what do they want. It seems very hard to face the reality there, because it implies a lot of changes in the prostitutes and also changes in the system and the mentality of the people that support them.

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Q3. What makes leaving the drug addiction so difficult?

A3.Most addicted people have a lack of responsibility. They want to get clean, or get rid of the problems, but it’s hard to change it because if one faces her problems, harsh reality appears. So it’s very hard to confront reality.

Change is too big a thing for many addicts.

Suggestions to the project: It is not realistic to propose a well paid task (as sewing) inside the Tippelzone.

The amount of money they get must be the amount they would get in real life. It would be an absurd idea that a prostitute could get more money by sewing than by selling her body.

Our remarks: The new activity we are going to propose must not push them, but pull them, attract the prostitutes to do something else, leading them back to reality. In other words: it must be attractive.

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APPENDIX 06 Workshop: “Express Yourself” with the Tippelzone prostitutes of Eindhoven Location: Tippelzone in Eindhoven Date: 05/06/08

Goals: To meet with the prostitutes and make a workshop with fashion designer Conny Groenewegen, in order to collect information about the prostitute’s physical and mental abilities in manual labor, as well as assessing their openness and interest for change.

Main discoveries: With this workshop, we had a chance to meet the prostitutes and the caretakers. Although the tasks set up for the prostitutes were low profile and flexible, we realized that the tasks should be even more open to their creativity. Not many prostitutes showed up, and we thought that it was lack of interest and also the fact that we didn’t offer any money reward for it. One of the main discoveries was the observation of the relationship between the caretakers, which led us to a workshop with the caretakers themselves.

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How it affected our project: The workshop gave us new insights on how we should propose the tasks. It was useful also to see the changes that we should make on the staff that works there, and also in the environment itself so that the program of working with the prostitutes could work.

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This workshop was the most important experience we had during our project. The direct experience in the Tippelzone, with the prostitutes and caretakers, completely changed our perspective on the prostitutes, as well as presented us with new problems we were not even really aware of. We left the tippelzone in a daze, even more confused than when we came in.

To show the crazy experience of students proposing a creative workshop with the addicted prostitutes – where only one and a half prostitute showed up and where the caretakers were the ones who were the most interested – the only medium we found that could properly communicate this surreal experience was to we translated it into an illustrated fairytale book, with a bizarre story that exaggerates our point of view.

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APPENDIX 07 Workshop: Jeanne Van Heeswijk Location: Design Academy Eindhoven Date: 09/06/08 – 10/06/08 Goals: an assignment connected with social themes Main discoveries: We realized that in our project, not only the prostitutes, but also the caretakers play a main role. In a more precise analysis, that included a critical view on our experience at the workshop with the prostitutes, we concluded: the Tippelzone is an over-institutionalized zone, which includes a lot of hierarchies, work and organization, and involves a lot of people. There’s a victimization – a kind of prejudice - of the prostitutes in this “care” and “security” economy, which doesn’t help the situation to evolve.

How it affected our project: We decided to make a workshop with the caretakers, to understand better how they are trained, what is exactly their role in the Tippelzone, and how they view the prostitutes.

Our remarks: Besides getting information in the workshop with the caretakers, we also want to try, in a subtle way, to pass them the message that they should “care less”.

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Interview with the caretakes of the tippelzone Q1. How did you start working in the Tippelzone?

Caretaker 1: I used to work in other apartments of the Salvation Army.

When they started the Tippelzone, I was asked to work here. And I liked it. Basically, these women have nobody, they live and work on streets. After we started working here they have a name, they have an identity – we know them and also police knows them.

Caretaker 2: I work with old people, and I wanted to have a second job. As I like to care for people, Caretaker 1 asked me if I wanted to work here, and I’m here for half a year now.

Caretaker 1: Not so many people want to do this job, because the women (prostitutes) are too different, they are addicted, and they speak in a different way. It’s hard to see them and accept them.

Q2. Which kind of training do you receive to work in the Tippelzone?

Are you trained as a nurse?

Caretaker 1: Anns is a nurse, but actually there’s no training for this job. It’s based on trust and on the ability of the individuals that work here.

Caretaker 2: We have to basically accept them for who they are, what they do: they are addicted, violent, alone…We must not try to change 108

them. We are here to help them if they want.

Q.3 What exactly do you do for them?

Caretaker 1: During the day, two women work here, they are available for 20 hours a week. These caretakers can take the prostitutes to a dentist, to doctors, rehab centers, etc. Everyday at 20:00 a caretaker opens the living-room. The prostitutes come, they can eat and have a coffee, talk with us if they want to. Every two months a doctor comes in. Besides that the caretakers make reports about the women every day. In these reports they write what the women do, when and where.

The supervisors read it to know about the situation.

Q.4 What do the prostitutes do when they are not at the Tippelzone?

Caretaker 1: I’m not sure what they do. They are with friends, dealers and pimps, I guess. I also think they sleep somewhere, some of them have a house. In case they disappear for too long, we worry about them and we tell the police. Actually, for us, caretakers, it’s not important what the prostitutes do when they are not at the tippelzone.

Q.5 How do you view the prostitutes that you help?

Caretaker 2: We see the prostitutes as women who work.

Q.6 How does your work affect them?

Caretaker 1: The women come to the Tippelzone, they like to come, and they are safe here.

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Q7. How do you feel about the effects of your caretaking on the prostitutes?

Caretaker 2: We respect them, they appreciate that, because not a lot of people respect.

Caretaker 1: If I don’t show up for more than 2 weeks, when I appear the prostitutes come to me and kiss me.

Q8. How would you feel if you had to stop working with the prostitutes? What are the risks? What are the losses? What are the benefits?

Caretaker 1: It’s not going to happen because this work is not done.

There’s a lot to do here. They would never remove me or change my place, because nobody knows how to deal with the prostitutes. In case it happened, I would most miss the women. The women know about the possibility of the closing of the tippelzone, and they say they don’t mind to go working on streets again. But of course they prefer working at the tippelzone. That’s because here it’s legal, on streets it’s not and if they are caught they have to go to jail, and stay one or two nights there. I think the women don’t really want to change, they don’t want another kind of life, but they want the tippelzone.

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Q.9 If the women like so much this place, do you think they would help to maintain it, to keep it if they are asked to?

Caretaker 1: Yes, they want to keep this place, I think they would accept to even pay a fee to be allowed here. Here they know they have comfort and safety. Some of the women would accept to change, they would understand if they had to do something about it.

Q.10 What do you feel is really special about this job? Do the women give you something back that you wouldn’t have in another job?

Caretaker 2: We can do something for them. I can help them. But as any other job, sometimes I give my best and I don’t receive the response I want.

Caretaker 1: The women have nothing else but us. We understand their situation. They come in, I feel it’s good for them. I don’t really have to get anything back. They know who we are and they know we are their friends.

Q.11 What is the problem about having a man working at the tippelzone?

Caretaker 1: It is difficult for the men.

Caretaker 2: The women are not free to change their clothes or to use whatever they want… They don’t feel free showing their ass to a men working here inside.

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Q12. Don’t you think the women should use their money to pay for the service they get here?

Caretaker 1: These women don’t mind, they have another standard, it’s hard to understand. Actually they can’t make a real choice, because they chose drugs. So they chose to spend their money in this way - drugs. We respect that. Many women want to change, they go to rehabs. But it’s really hard for them to go and stay there, they stop the treatment.

Q13. What do you think can really help the addicted prostitutes in their lives?

Caretaker 1: A house and a job. I’m trying to integrate 2 women into society by giving them another job opportunity. The biggest difficulty is life itself.

Q14. If you were not a caretaker, what profession would you follow?

Caretaker 1: I would go and travel the world!

Caretaker 2: I would be a teacher.

Q15. Are you religious? Which religion do you follow?

Caretaker 1: Religion is important, it’s part of who we are. But I don’t go to church… Religion is not the main thing in this work, but it helps us in our values. if the prostitutes ask us about religion, we tell them.

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There’s also a bible at the Tippelzone, and some women take a look at it.

Q.16 Are you happy with your work?

Caretaker 1 and 2: Yes, very happy. (All of them.)

Based on your life experience, please answer the following questions.

Q.17 How do you deal with a situation in which someone in your life is experiencing a problem, disaster, failure or loss?

Caretaker 1: My son just told me he has a friend that uses drugs and asked me if he could do something about that. I said that the guy must ask for help. We can do nothing if they don’t ask for help. They might not want to be helped.

Q.18 Do you think the prostitutes ask for the help they get?

Caretaker 1: Yes. Caretaker 2: They are very happy with the Tippelzone.

Caretaker 1:They asked for the Tippelzone, even before it existed.

Q.19 How do you react to others addictive or other self-destructive behaviors?

Caretaker 1: We ask if they need help, but it’s always their choice. If they don’t want it, we can do nothing. We can’t tell them what to do.

We respect them, that’s it.

Q.20 How well do you allow others to exercise personal responsibility with someone taking care of me. over their own lives?

Caretaker 2: I never had that experience, but I think I can handle that! I could live with that…!

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Caretaker 1: If they leave something dirty, we clean for them, because it is our job. If we asked the prostitutes to clean themselves, they would do it… But it is the caretakers work! For the prostitutes, it is their working place, and they know we will do things for them, that we will serve them. The place would become a mess if there was no one to take care, but the prostitutes really don’t care about it. Actually, this is not the problem. The prostitutes don’t have this responsibility.

When one of you has a job, doesn’t your boss wash the dishes? It is absolutely normal.

Q.21 How would you feel if people no longer turned to you to cure, fix, solve, or rectify problems for them?

Caretaker 1: The women are very dependent on us. They need us, this is not the case.

Q.22 How do you feel when you realize that others have become dependent on you?

Caretaker 1: We try to help them.

Caretaker 2: It’s sad sometimes.

Q.23 How have you reacted to people who were caretakers to you? How comfortable are you with being equally classified with the caretakers in your own life?

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Caretaker 1: I don’t know! It’s very difficult! I don’t feel comfortable

with someone taking care of me.

Caretaker 2: I never had that experience, but I think I can handle that! I could live with that…!

Caretaker 1: When it is necessary, I’d like it. If you are alone, you need someone. Sometimes it’s difficult. You want to help, but you can’t… It is the world, you have to accept.

Q.24 Our project is very much about asking responsibility to the prostitutes. What do you think about that?

Caretaker 1: Responsibility is something you have or you don’t have.

You can’t teach them. They are not child… They have nothing to loose! Maybe they are not punished enough, but it would cost even more money to the government. Jail is expensive. I’m really happy the women come here and have some help. If we ask too much of them, they won’t come.

Q.25 How do you think the tippelzone would be in 5 years?

Caretaker 1: It will be the same. Some women will arrive, others leave, and some will die.

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MANIFESTO

After conducting two workshops at the “living room” at the Tippelzone in Eindhoven, having made several interviews ranging from Salvation Army caretakers, psychologists and designers, as well as researching on a variety of topics related to drug addiction, rehabilitation, prostitution, and institutionalized care systems, it became absolutely clear that the Tippel to Top project is entirely viable.

All of those approached became very enthusiastic about the project (Daspu, Salvation Army, T+huis, Veronique Beurkens, fashion designers, among others). However, it has also become clear that the proposal runs against some problems deeply ingrained in Dutch society, and that much would need to change in order to implement the program.

”Quem tudo quer, nada tem (Brazilian proverb: the one who wants everything ends up with nothing)”

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with someone taking care of me.

Caretaker 2: I never had that experience, but I think I can handle that! I could live with that…!

Caretaker 1: When it is necessary, like it. you are you need The prostitutes themselves don’tI’d seem toIfmind to alone, work either on someone. it’s difficult. the Youonly wantthing to help, you can’t…

It the streetsSometimes or in the tippelzone; thatbut matters for them is you have accept. is the to world, earn money to to buy drugs. So if the government closes the Q.24 Our project is very much responsibility to the tippelzone they will simply goabout backasking to work on the streets, because prostitutes. you think that? they knowWhat that do there is noabout consequence for them to illegally Caretaker 1: Responsibility is something have or you have. prostitute themselves on the street. Theyou maximum thatdon’t can happen You can’t teach Theyuparebynot child…

They to a few is that they arethem. picked the police andhave are nothing released loose! they are not can punished enough, but it would coststreet. even hours Maybe later, so that they just go back working on the more money to the government. Jail is expensive. I’m really happy the women come here and have some help. If weand ask too much ofup them, If the government was more consistent toughned a bit, they won’tlock come. it would them in jail for illegally prostituting themselves on Q.25 How doDutch you think tippelzone would hotels be in 5 that years? the streets. jailsthebeing the luxury they are, the Caretaker It will not be the same.

Some women will arrive, prostitutes1:would only get excellent treatment, theyothers wouldleave, also and some will die.to experience a regular schedule and being forced get the chance to undergo detox treatments.

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But how expensive is it actually to provide this service to the prostitutes? Probably much more than that required for the upkeeping of the Tippelzone! As they say, “you can’t have the cake and eat it too”: Dutch society either has to decide that it does not want to accept the reality of street prostitution, make it illegal, and be willing to pay the price required to try to stop it (the bill being composed of, among others: more policemen on the streets, and more prostitutes in jails). Or Dutch society can decide that it is cheaper and more convenient to hide the prostitutes away in a Tippelzone, but then it has to be willing to pay the price for its upkeep.

“Tolerance: a double-edged knife”

A very controversial picture started forming during an interview with the caretakers of the tippelzone. On the one hand there was a unilateral decision from the government to construct a “living room”.

This seems to indicate that the government wants to provide the 118

prostitutes with care for their “problem”. So there are two full-time

with someone taking care of me.

Caretaker 2: I never had that experience, but I think I can handle that! I could live with that…!

Caretaker When is necessary, I’d like one it. If you are alone, you need caretakers1:per timeit at the tippelzone, of which is busy with someone. it’s difficult. want to help, butwhile you can’t…

It the “livingSometimes room” (making soup,You tosti, coffee, etc), the other is world, youon have accept. is the in the office thetoback writing daily reports about each single Q.24 Our project aboutrequested asking responsibility to the prostitute.

None isofvery thismuch has been by the prostitutes. prostitutes.

What do you think about that?

On the other hand, if asked, the caretakers affirm that they hardly Caretaker 1: Responsibility is something youthat havethey or you don’t give the prostitutes any help at all, saying only helphave. those You teach them.is They child… have nothing to ask whocan’t ask for it, which not are the not case of theThey prostitutes, who don’t loose! they are not punished enough, but it would even for anyMaybe help or interference from the government.

Thecost caretakers, more money to the government.

Jail is expensive. really happy the lacking in any form of psychological or medicalI’m training, see their women here and some If we ask toogiving much of them, work ascome cleaning the have dishes of help. the prostitutes, them free they come. their stories like friends would. foodwon’t and hearing Q.25 How do youus think the tippelzone would in 5 years?

It made realize that one of the be biggest problems is the Caretaker It will be the same. Some will arrive, others leave, “tolerant” 1: caretaking detected at the women Tippelzone.

There is nothing and some willbad die. about the actions of the individual caretakers intrinsically themselves. But the caretakers are actually symbolic of the entire “tolerant” care system and philosophy in The Netherlands. As long as the system is that of “tolerance”, in which the situation of the prostitutes is made so comfortable, nothing will change.

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The addicted prostitutes cannot be looked at as an isolated problem since in fact they are tightly woven in the fabric of Dutch society. The caretakers, t+huis, the police, the city hall, the clients, the pimps, the Design Academy – they are all players in the same game. Move the position and the situation of the prostitutes a little, and the position of everyone is affected. The contrary is also true: change the caretaking policy a little, and the situation of the prostitutes also, automatically, changes.

“Tolerating the prostitutes as they are” (as has been often said by the caretakers), is a double-edged knife. By accepting them to be sick and incapable women, society actually treats the prostitutes as such, and by doing this in fact gives them no opportunity to change: we are “the experts”, supposed to “take care” and to know what’s best for them. As far as known, during the whole duration of this research the prostitutes were not asked what they wanted; and they were also not invited to the presentations of the students even though it was all about their future.

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with someone taking care of me.

Caretaker 2: I never had that experience, but I think I can handle that! I could live with that…!

Caretaker When it is necessary, I’d likeinit.the If you are alone, you Under this1:perspective, real change Tippelzone will need only someone.

Sometimes it’s difficult.

You want to help, but you can’t…

It happen when the whole care system in The Netherlands changes is the world, havegiving to accept. from one ofyou freely to one of providing services based on Q.24 Our project isTovery about asking responsibility to the real necessities. findmuch a solution and improve this situation, first prostitutes.

What dotoyou think about that?reality of the world, in which Dutch society has confront the harsh Caretaker Responsibility is something or you don’t have. nothing is 1: given for free and everythingyou hashave a price.

In order to give You them.toThey aretonot child…

They nothing back. to help,can’t it is teach important learn start asking forhave something loose! Maybe they are not punished enough, but it would cost even more money to the government. Jail x x is x expensive. I’m really happy the women come here and have some help. If we ask too much of them, they won’t come.

Q.25 How do you think the tippelzone would be in 5 years?

Caretaker 1: It will be the same. Some women will arrive, others leave, and some will die.

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