I rather be
Generous

Formed in 2022, I rather be generous is an independent, experimental research collective consisting of Miriam van Rijsingen and Laura van Grinsven. We explore how generosity can shape our work, ideas and daily lives. We believe that better stories create a better world. Through open processes, shared experiments and affirmative conversations, we develop tools for practising generosity—and invite others to learn, adapt and contribute along the way. On our website, Iratherbegenerous.com, you can find podcasts, fictional stories, films and conversations—both between ourselves and with others—as well as many other experiments.

 

Laura van Grinsven is a philosopher and art theorist, active in the contemporary art world as a researcher, writer, art critic (AICA member) and occasionally as a curator. She teaches artistic research and theory at BEAR Fine Art, ArtEZ (Arnhem, NL), where her courses explore topics such as collectivity, posthuman philosophy and generosity. Her ongoing research is centred on developing alternative ways of thinking, as well as new structures and infrastructures, in response to hyper-individualism—a challenge she sees as one of the most pressing of our time. She finds ethical potential for change in posthuman philosophy, affirmative theory and positive storytelling—approaches that engage not only the intellect but also emotions and the senses. For her, theory doesn’t just live in texts; it comes to life when embodied in everyday practices and social structures, becoming a transformative force.

 

Miriam van Rijsingen is an art historian and art theorist. Until 2023, she taught modern and contemporary art history at the University of Amsterdam, where she also coordinated the Research Master Art and Performance Research Studies for artists and academic students. In her courses, she explored topics such as art and feminism, New Materialism, and art and science. She designed and coordinated an NWO-funded programme on art and science (including a bio-art lab), and was a member of The Mediated Body programme at Maastricht University.

Her ongoing research investigates and embraces alternative and experimental ways of doing and knowing. It is centred on the many ways interconnectedness may be sensed and voiced, with the aim of developing tools for collaboration, communication, positive storytelling and ethical change, especially in response to the accelerating tragedies of the Anthropocene.