H401 is a private cultural foundation located in the Herengracht building of the artist Gisèle d’Ailly van Waterschoot van der Gracht (1912-2013). Through European collaborations, local initiatives and artists residencies it strives to explore the human condition focusing on the aspects of memory and artistic ways to deal with heritage.
H401 was previously known as Castrum Peregrini, a name that belongs to the history of the house symbolising multiple layers of history in which lives were saved, as well as damaged. The name and space saw different phases: hiding place during WWII, publishing house after that, and finally cultural foundation.
In 2019 the name was changed to H401, short for Herengracht 401. H401 is an exceptionally meaningful name for the institution, it encompasses the location of the house, its multilayered history and its founding activities: art, research and dialogue to explore the human condition through memory and heritage.”
H401 is a member of ICOM, DEMHIST and ICMEMOHRI, and Culture Action Europe.
Banner Image – H401©LNDWstudio