 |
|
G58-G59 MASS-AKKER 29 november 2008 - 10 mei 2009 The young artist Geoffrey de Beer’s work for his doctorate in art will focus on the theme of artist networks; how they came about 50 years ago and how they exist today. Geert and Carla Verbeke and the expo ‘G58-G59 Mass-akker’, the new winter presentation at the Verbeke foundation, give him the opportunity to perform his first visual experiment. With Paul Van Hoeydonk as the historical reference point, a variety of small exhibitions of over 100 artists and artists' collectives are juxtaposed with the avant-garde of 50 years ago. With the title G58-G59 Mass-akker, Geoffrey de Beer (°1978, Ekeren) is not only referring to the huge mass of artworks on the Westakker in Kemzeke. The exhibition's title is also a reference to the German 'Massaker’, the French ‘massacrer’, or ‘massacre’ in English… a bloodbath inflicted upon the artworks. G58 In 1958 our country was carried away by the world's fair in Brussels. However, it was Antwerp's Hessenhuis that provided a backdrop for the avant garde art of the G58 group - including Paul Van Hoeydonck, Vic Gentils and Camiel Van Breedam - by organizing the much talked about exhibition entitled ‘Vision in motion’. The G58-artists focused on kinetic art (assemblage and op-art). With last summer's successful exhibition ‘Visions in Motion – Motion in vision’ , the Verbeke Foundation took a deeper look at this theme. G58-G59 Mass-akker is a continuation of Antwerp's G58 movement. The Verbeke Foundation will show works from a private collection of the most important G58-artists from '55-'58. Seen at the time as "the archeologist of the future", Paul Van Hoeydonck (°1925, Antwerp) was the central figure of the G58 movement. A solo-show of 30 of his works from the series entitled "White on White" will be on display in Kemzeke. Publisher J.P. De Paepe will present the new monograph in coordination with Van Hoeydonck's works at Verbeke; including a foreword by Ernest Van Buynder. Artist Paul Van Hoeydonck will be present to speak with the press. G59 - CIAFM In the collage hall the focus will be on the little-known G59 collage exhibition also organized in Antwerp's Hessenhuis by the CIAFM in 1959. CIAFM stands for ‘Centre International de l’ Actualité Fantastique et Magique’ and the most important members were Paul Joostens, E.L.T. Mesens, Robert Geenens, Lyne Ducerf, Georges Mariën, Paul Snoek, Wout Hoeboer and Max Bucaille. G582 If you think that the concept of the artist collective is out of place in our individualistic society; think again. Young artists of today bringing work out as a group take on the confrontation with the G58 collective. In situations like this, it is good to have a knowledgable guide on hand. We have Geoffrey de Beer. As the G58-G59 Mass-akker curator-artist he conducts aesthetic research into the plastic art of 50 years ago. In the installation G582 he sets out a timeline, in search of the historical connections between the G58-group and the present day. He brings together works from Paul Van Hoeydonck, Pol Mara, Goele De Bruyn, Nadia Naveau, Nick Andrews and Alexandra Crouwers among others and the artists from the other participating groups on a gigantic wall… The installation, and the Verbeke Foundation itself, form a constantly changing "wall of thought" where items can be added or changed at any time. This installation will expand during the exhibition, but will start off with works by: Alexandra Crouwers, Nick Andrews, Nadia Naveau, Kate Mayne, Gerald Douphin, Happy Famous Artists, Tom Bogaert, Paul Van Hoeydonck, George Lucas, Ben Kruisdijk, Conny Kuilboer, Nathan Sawaya, Harry Heirmans, Paul van den Hout, Chris Von Steiner, Kun Fang, Goele de Bruyn, Dré Bogaert, Lieven Segers, Stijn Claikens, Suse Weber, Julia Wlodkowski, Pol Mara, Han Hoogerbrugge, Frans Gentils, Bart Verschueren, Lode Geens, Chris Straetling, eBoy, Filip Francis, Koen van Mechelen, Kati Heck, Wim Delvoye, Luc Tuymans, and others… APPELL The loose-fixed artist formation APPELL is made up of around twenty artists who see the network as leverage in the struggle to gain maximum exposure by established art institutions and exhibition organizers. Their group show has relocated from the Museum Felix De Boeck in Drogenbos to the Verbeke Foundation, where they hope to spend a fruitful winter. Artistic Freedom is the creed of APPEL's Sergio Servellón and Suse Weber but it needs to fit into the strict measurements of a ground surface of 1,6x1,6 m. and 9 m. high per artist… The complete presentation takes place in a box with the works displayed like pieces on a chessboard. With works by Michael Beutler, Theo Boettger, Burghard, Leif Erich Christensen, Erki De Vries, Lutz Fezer, Clemens Hollerer, Olaf Holzapfel, Iris Kettner, Skafte Kuhn, Renè Lück, Nadia Naveau, Andrea Pichl, Ief Spincemaille, Michael Stumpf, Joep van Liefland, Tim Vets, Suse Weber, Tilman Wendland. Sick Sculptures Caroline Coolen, Anton Cotteleer and Bart Van Dijck –all in their twenties- recently premiered their 3-men-show at Antwerp's filled-in Southern Docks. At the Verbeke Foundation you get an introduction -in moderation- to their predilection for heimat, kitsch, transformation and figuration. They're not afraid of a bit of drama and romance either. In moderation… Lode Geens – Broodthaers plain and simple In Lode Geens' (°1980) living room, it feels like toys, curiosa, art and design live together in perfect harmony. By decontextualising all of these things, he apears to be the curator of his "own" group show. Geens' show encaptures works by Carlos Aires, Ben van den Berghe, Thomas Boiy, Paul Casaer, Vaast Colson, Céline Felga, Filip Gilissen, Damien De Lepeleire, Timothy Segers, Quinten Ingelaere, Philip Janssens, Guy Rombouts, Tamara Van San, Benjamin Verdonck, Rinus Van De Velde, Kris Vleeschouwers, and Pieter Boons. G08 The artists sailing into the Verbeke Foundation under this flag have one thing in common: they all studied mixed media at the Royal Academy of Fine Art in Gent (KASK). Their work still tastes of the creation process itself. A large table (for discussions), a book shelf, a coffee maker and a refrigerator provided the steadfast anchor in all of their studios. With works by Pieter Bauters, Martijn Bessemans, Nick Ervinck, Gunter Moriau, Tinka Pittoors, Lotte Van den Audenaeren, Kristof Van Gestel, Vadim Vosters. G58-G59 Mass-akker runs from November 29 2008 through May 24 2009. The Verbeke Foundation is continuously making new discoveries. The following projects and artworks will also be on display in Kemzeke for your admiration as of Nov. 29:
| Verbeke Foundation Westakkers
|
