On the dike above Ruigoord, the healing hands of Willem de Ridder (1939-2022) wave to observers. This unique spirit was a welcome guest in Ruigoord, where he often told stories. He was involved in the international Fluxus movement and the founding of Paradiso and Melkweg. His motto hangs in the butterfly garden: ‘It's never too late for a happy childhood.’

Willem de Ridder was the disseminator of the philosophy of ‘Mirrorogy’. In short, reality is malleable and comes into being as people describe it. Thinking is learned and people are frightened of what other people think about them. De Ridder started the Fanclub; an activation of his thinking with a kind of liturgy in the form of his handbook. Fanclubs are now part of a shared cultural heritage and are organised throughout the Netherlands.

Inspired by Willem de Ridder's Mirrorogy, Ahalouch & Meester initiated the project Fanclub: Bestel je Geluk! It started in 2019 and was inaugurated by Willem de Ridder himself.

In line with Willem de Ridder's philosophy, they create a transformative experience for individuals, fostering self-awareness in connections with others. The first Fanclub: Bestel je Geluk! was located at the De Zoete Broodjes art complex in Amsterdam. The space was temporarily transformed into a Fanclub house. It featured captivating performances and immersive sessions, accompanied by an enchanting soundscape that held participants spellbound.

Since then, the Fanclub has continued to evolve and has become a combination of installation, performance, food, music, live sessions and performances.

During Vurige Tongen 2023 (Fiery Tongues 2023), where Willem de Ridder once received the Ruigoord Trophy, a Bestel Je Geluk ceremony took place in the Ruigoord church. Afterwards, the flag was hoisted with Willem de Ridder's blessing hands, which will watch over the site from now on. His blessing can also be heard close to the flag.

Wafae Ahalouch (1978) and Joanneke Meester (1966), two artists united by a shared vision of life, draw inspiration from Willem de Ridder's handbook Spiegelogie (2018).

Wafae Ahalouch's multidisciplinary practice explores femininity, power structures and collective rituals through paintings, collages, textile works and installations. Using a touch of irony, she integrates the aesthetics of graphic novels, using sharp lines, geometric patterns and vibrant colours. She highlights similarities between cultures through visual juxtapositions and a transcultural perspective, while drawing on personal experiences to critically reflect on themes such as populism, dehumanisation and the aestheticisation of power.

The common thread in Joanneke Meester's work is the malleability of humankind, reflecting on human consciousness and the environment. She has been creating temporary sculptures in Amsterdam's public space with recovered and discarded materials since late 2020. In the course of building and photographing, unique encounters occur.