HMK presents: IT, Or The Something in the Lake
OPENING: Sunday 2 October, 4 PM
SHOW: 2 Oct - 23 Oct 6 November
Erik Alkema (NL), Avi Krispin (IL) and Gregg Louis (US) found this story circulating in the dark corners of the internet:
When the former Zuiderzee was closed of by de Afsluitdijk in 1932 and Het IJsselmeer came into existence, people were not told the whole reason for why this dam had to be built. The official reason was to get the unpredictable sea under control. What was never made public was that the dam was also put there in order to keep 'something' out. Records of unexplained events, rare sightings, rumors and fears of this’ something’ have existed in local folklore from all along the coastline of the sea dating back to 716. Evidence has been found linking two prominent families that resided in Hoorn in the 17th century to a secret society dedicated to taming IT. Though some people deny that this society ever existed, and some claim IT is only a myth, recent findings have shed light on the secrets behind the rumors…
In ‘It, Or the Something in the Lake’, Alkema, Krispin and Louis investigate the local legend by revisiting the secret society and their rituals as well as clues that are left behind in the city of Hoorn. Inspired by research into old archives and interviews with local residents and expert crypto-zoologists, the artists create visualizations through sculpture, relics, photos, performance and a documentary, culminating in an installation in the Maria Chapel.