Anne-Mie van Kerckhoven
dal 28/1/2005 al 26/3/2005
Segnalato da
28/1/2005
Anne-Mie van Kerckhoven
Kunsthalle Bern, Bern
Europaisches Zentrum fur Futuristische Kunst. Developing a complex multimedia work since the late 70s, the artist carries the spectator away in an abundance of images, words and alienating sound, connecting subject matters from the most different realms. Every exhibition functions as a 'surviving mechanism' introducing new works or recontextualizing older pieces.
Europaisches Zentrum fur Futuristische Kunst
The Kunsthalle Bern is delighted to announce the first solo-exhibition in
Switzerland of Belgian artist Anne-Mie van Kerckhoven (Antwerp, B, 1951).
Developing a complex multimedia work since the late 70s, Anne-Mie van
Kerckhoven carries the spectator away in an abundance of images, words and
alienating sound, connecting subject matters from the most different
realms. Every exhibition functions as a 'surviving mechanism' introducing
new works or recontextualizing older pieces. The logic is that of
expansion rather than limitation. Hence 'multiplicity' is a quality; as a
field of interpretations intended to compensate the entropic drift of
meaning. The way Anne-Mie van Kerckhoven 'installs' some of her works in a
flexible structure is an answer to her obsession for systems in which
invisible forms of self-organisation are at work, such as the human brain,
a computer virus, a living organism, an ant colony or an internet
database.
The exhibition at the Kunsthalle Bern will assemble a variety of works,
including drawings, light boxes and a series of Headnurse installations
consisting of a wooden supporting structure onto which at least three
perforated metal sheets are fixed. On these sheets the artist places
images and computer prints with a magnetic coating on the back. Anne-Mie
van Kerckhoven will install two specially commissioned works for the
Kunsthalle: The Populace (2005), an installation in the entrance hall with
stills from a recent animation movie, reflects on the way fungi grow and
Against Meaning (2005), a slide show with 'sleaze' imagery in black and
white will be installed in the stairs.
This show will also include two of Anne-Mie van Kerckhoven's major recent
works: Deeper (2004), a circling filmic projection that follows the
movements of a dancer, acquires a heightened poignancy considering the
'Totentanz' tradition in Bern; and Rorty, The HeadRoom (2004), an
ambitious installation creating and organising an image in several layers,
projected by two interlinked data-projectors in a half-darkened room. The
spectator walks through a network of sensors and activates particular
hyperlinks: animations, texts, and a variety of 'philosophical' rooms
inhabited by several people/friends who play the part of philosophers. The
complexity of the installation grows with every new encounter with a
spectator who inspires the response, logic and interactivity of the
HeadRoom; in this way the installation imitates the neurological structure
of the brain.
Anne-Mie van Kerckhoven is fascinated by the radical combination of man
and technology in an increased intensity. Her work reflects our desire to
find the veiled meaning behind the newly-formed virtual archetypes. At the
same time it incorporates the fear aroused by the question of whether man
can cope with the transition in which machines are used to generate a new
chance for modernism. Anne-Mie van Kerckhoven professes futurism out of
necessity, realising that we have changed our surroundings so drastically
that we are now changing ourselves in order to be able to exist in this
new environment.
The exhibition features the presentation of a major publication, Anne-Mie
van Kerckhoven: The Headnurse Files, produced by objectif_exhibitions
(Antwerp), co-produced by NAK Neuer Aachener Kunstverein and Kunsthalle
Bern, with texts by Filip Luyckx, Corinne Melin, Dorothea Olkowski,
Philippe Pirotte, Renate Puvogel, Susanne Titz, Ronald van de Sompel, Wim
van Mulders and Patrick van Rossem (ed.).
Recently Anne-Mie van Kerckhoven had solo-shows at the Museum of Modern
Art in Antwerp (1999) and at the Neuer Aachener Kunstverein, Aachen
(2004); she participated in several group exhibitions, i.e. LopLop, Museum
Boymans van Beuningen, Rotterdam (NL) (1997), Trattendosi, Zitelle, Venice
(IT), (1999), Trouble Spot. Painting, MuHKA / NICC, Antwerp (B) (1999),
Die verletzte Diva. Hysterie / Korper / Technik in der Kunst des 20
Jahrhunderts, Galerie im Taxispalais, Innsbruck (G) (2000); Phantom of
Pleasure in the Neue Galerie am Landesmuseum Joanneum (Cultural Capital of
Europe 2003), Graz (AU), Dream Extensions in SMAK, Ghent (2004).
Opening: January 29, 2005, 6.00 pm
Kunsthalle Bern - Helvetiaplatz 1 - CH-3005 Bern
Opening hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 10am –5pm, Tuesday, 10am-7pm, Mondays: closed