Jeonghwa Choi
Katharina Fritsch
Folkert De Jong
Philip Metten
Yoshitomo Nara
Patricia Piccinini
Thomas Rentmeister
Peter Rogiers
Thomas Schutte
Ricky Swallow
Iskender Yediler
11 national and international artists give a current interpretation of sculpture
Artists:
JEONGHWA CHOI (KO) - KATHARINA FRITSCH (D) - FOLKERT DE JONG (NL) - PHILIP METTEN (B) - YOSHITOMO NARA (J) - PATRICIA PICCININI (AUS) - THOMAS RENTMEISTER (D) - PETER ROGIERS (B) - THOMAS SCHUTTE (D) - RICKY SWALLOW (AUS) - ISKENDER YEDILER (D)
The Middelheim Museum in Antwerp presents the group exhibition Long Live Sculpture!. Eleven national and international artists give a current interpretation of the sculptural discipline.
Lately, things have been moving in the realm of sculpture. For a while, it seemed banished from the museum to the public space. Furthermore, it threatened to become unrecognisable, as practically all other artistic genres had three-dimensional ambitions: think of the spatial ways of presenting video-art or conceptual installations. But today it re-conquers its own unique identity. And it unmistakably claims its place next to painting and other means of expression as a discipline that might take on many forms, but nonetheless is very much alive. The Middelheim Museum wants to give this development the attention it deserves.
The participating artists were not only invited because they give sculpture an intriguing contemporary face. They were also asked to reflect on the theme of "consolation". In response, some of them created a whole new piece, while for others it was part of what they had been doing for years.
Consolation is something we have all experienced. The artist deals with it in his own way, foremost weighing this question: does he choose to console his public, or will he deny them any consolation at all?
Long Live Sculpture! gathers a great variety among the artists. Some have worked with more traditional materials such as wood or bronze, others went to work with silicone and polyester. Nature was a source of inspiration, but so were comics and Hollywood movies. Some of the pieces are gigantic, others very small. Together, these works of art make a titillating exhibition.
Middelheim Museum
Middelheimlaan 61
B-2020 Antwerp
Opening hours:
August: 10h - 20h
June and July: 10 - 21h
September: 10h -19h
Closed on Mondays (open on Pentecost Monday 5/6)