Hotel MariaKapel proudly presents
Personal Affects
with
Johnny Amore
David Blandy
Theo Cowley
Bas Schevers
An investigation into the transgressing role of intimacy, awkwardness and alter ego's in contemporary art.
In folklore, Tricksters violate boundaries in order to humanize them. In sci-fi, the superhero holds the uncomfortable position of being outside society whilst still being caught up in the same human dilemma's as the rest of us: His dilemma's become an exaggeration of our own. In art as well as in society at large, the border between professionalism and intimacy is constantly subject to negotiation: It can be played with, but sometimes it needs to be actively transgressed. The flip side of professionalism is its ability to turn into a smokescreen, facilitating a retirement of genuine involvement.
The works and artists in Personal Affects gain their momentum on this border exactly. David Blandy explores the possibility of finding ways to live your life in popular culture. Johnny Amore's superhero is stepping out into the world, believing in the good and lending a hand whenever he finds destitution. Theo Cowley uses the pamphlet 'Composition de rhetorique de M. don Arlequin', published in 1610, as a screen on which to project. Bas schevers connects love to art and show.
About the artists
David Blandy (London, 1976) works in performance (live and video), installation and comics. His work is informed by a passionate interest in popular black music particularly Hip-Hop, Soul and Blues. Blandy has had solo exhibitions at a.o. Gasworks and Turner Contemporary, had a new commission in the Liver pool Biennial 2008 and has exhibited internationally across Europe, America, China and Japan.
Johnny Amore (Munich, 1973) is an artificial figure, a total work of art. He studied Photography at the State Academy in Munich. His work combines several elements: Photography, Live-Performance, Video and Street poetry. Amore is researching, analysing and reflecting on forms of identities and social roles. With this interest as a starting point he developed the figure 'Superhero'. So far, the Superhero has explored and helped in Germany, Finland, Spain and Jordan.
The work of Theo Cowley (London, 1976) looks at the organization of movement and action. He is interested in what shapes, holds and frames movement. His studies take the form of film, video, performance and sculpture. An ongoing work is his investigation of the pamphlet ‘Composition de rhétorique de M. don Arlequin’, published by the early Harlequin Tristano Martinelli. Cowley completed his MA Fine Art at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, and is currently a researcher at the Jan van Eyck academy in Maastricht.
Bas Schevers (Boxtel, 1977) aims to temporarily suspend the contradictions between phenomena that at first glance appear to be mutually exclusive: hurt and optimism, clear communication and a more loose multi-interpretability. The charachter of his installations and performances is playfull and slightly subversive. In Hedah he presented and overwiew of his own failed works. Bas Schevers is a candidate-laureate at HISK, Ghent.
curated by Jantine Wijnja and Daniel Dennis de Wit
Opening reception Sunday June 21, 16hrs
On view until July 5
Gallery hours: thu – fri 18-21hrs, fri-sun 13-17hrs