Heads in the clouds : Introduction

Ruigoord's frontiers are becoming tighter and tighter due to the expansion of the industrial area. The fields around the village used to be a wild sanctuary for a variety of species but turned into a massive industrial site in the 1990s. One of the village's oldest houses. When Ruigoord was squatted the original houses were converted into ateliers that nowadays still function as living and working spaces. Nature is ever-present throughout the village. Daniel, a french traveller that adopted a nomadic lifestyle in the beginning of the 1980s.<br> All he owes fits inside his bag, except for a collection of books that is with his family in France. The Theatre of Delights or Cosy Connection is a mobile 'off the road show' that features a range of playful and interactive programs like puppet shows, creative workshops, jam sessions and small-scale theater. Montje playing during a festival for children, an afternoon full of entertaining and inspiring activities for the young audience. A young girl listens attentively, delighted by the melody and appearance of the musical instrument. A bird feeding spot at Theo Key's Tea Garden. Theo has one of Ruigoord's most beautiful gardens, featuring a mixture of flowers, vegetables and unexpected objects. Visitors are always welcome for tea, coffee and art. At Ruigoord's children festivals there are a variety of costumes available for the young kids (and adults) to wear. The village looks like a fairytale full of princesses, pirates and angels running around. Early morning sun in Ruigoord. Theo Kley entering the church. Theo was an active member of the dutch artistic movements of the 1960's and is one of the founders of the Amsterdam Ballon Company, the collective that squatted Ruigoord. Peter and Nicky, artists that have been living in Ruigoord for many years. Currently they also work as bartenders at the village's church, which hosts many events and parties, specially during the winter. The church also works as a meeting point for the c During summer there are a variety of festivals and events in Ruigoord, some of the guests stay for short periods of time in tents and caravans spread throughout the village. Ruigoord residents and friends gathered their efforts to restore the old school bus that has traveled the world with Amsterdam Ballon Company. It was bought by the collective when the village was squatted in the 1970s. Apolonia inside the old school bus that was bought by the Amsterdam Ballon Company when the village was squatted. She's the daughter of the artist Hans Vis and one of the community's children residents. In Ruigoord there's a frequent noise of low-flying airplanes due to the proximity to Amsterdam's airport. Wind turbines surround Ruigoord's frontiers. The cycling path that connects Ruigoord to Amsterdam. Members of the African Drum Workshop practicing before their performance at a full-moon festival and celebration of Ruigoord's 38th anniversary. Mimi and Moly during a visit to the village with their parents. They all live at the ADM, a former shipyard that was squatted in the 1990s. It is considered 'Amsterdam's last self-created cultural sanctuary' where about 125 people work and live. Mimi and Moly during a visit to the village with their parents. They all live at the ADM, a former shipyard that was squatted in the 1990s. It is considered 'Amsterdam's last self-created cultural sanctuary' where about 125 people work and live. Ruigoord has been a sanctuary for many artists pursuing their own vision ever since it was squatted in the 1970s. After a long political and legal struggle, it is now officially recognized as a 'cultural breeding zone', a creative and social experiment.