ENCOUNTERS August 24 — November 11, 2007 Stadsgalerij Heerlen — Netherlands
Nele Decock, from the series ‘to see or not to sea’
This autumn, the Stadsgalerij Heerlen will present the exhibition ENCOUNTERS.
ENCOUNTERS examines the tension between the dominant visual culture, often confirmed by the ‘official’ media, and possible alternative visions. ENCOUNTERS exhibits a variety of projects that are intended to break through the ‘stereotype’ images in order to tell a different personal story.
The exhibition can be interpreted as an open space in which visitors become conscious of their own ‘preconceived’ images and the choices underlying acceptance or rejection of (possibly uncomfortable) encounters. The participating artists each show how fertile it can be if one chooses to do so. The works function as an ‘Archimedean point’, as a starting point for people to ask questions about themes such as democratisation, emancipation, and globalisation. Surprising and uncomfortable encounters in - among others - Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, North Korea, China, Israel , the former GDR as well as the Worldwide web!
The exhibition includes works by Reza Abedini (IR) & Hans Wolbers (NL), Azra Akšamija (AT), Luis Berríos-Negrón (PR), Nele Decock (B), Erik Franssen (NL), Pieter Geenen (B), Mariam Ghani (US), Maximilian Goldfarb (US), G.R.A.M. (AT), Eytan Heller (IL), Rob Hornstra (NL), Stani Michiels (B), Anoek Steketee (NL), Niels Stomps (NL), The Institute for Infinitely Small Things (US), Prospektor (NL) & Partizan Publik (NL)
ENCOUNTERS is developed by freelance curator Femke Lutgerink at the invitation of the Stadsgalerij Heerlen.
www.stadsgalerijheerlen.nl