BRANKOPOPOVICBLOG: Christian Boltanski

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Monday, 20 August 2012

Manifesta 9 / The Deep of the Modern

This is a short overview of Manifesta 9 biennal exhibition 'The Deep of the Modern'. Last week I have visited the exhibition for the second time and again it was impressive. Waterschei, an outstanding historic monument of industrialization,is as impressive as the exhibition. It is perhaps one of the most impressive industrial buildings that I have seen.
Manifesta 9 is a perfect example of the relevance of contemporary art.

The Deep of the Modern intends to create a complex dialogue between different layers of art and history. Its point of departure is the geographical location itself, the former coal-mining region of the Campine in north-eastern Belgium as a locus for diverse issues, both imaginary and ecological, aligned to industrial capitalism as a global phenomenon.

Curator Cuauhtémoc Medina (Mexico City) developed the concept for Manifesta 9, addressing the social and societal impact of the recent past in Limburg.

A guide through Manifesta 9

Ni Haifeng, Para-Production, 2012

Manifesta 9: The Deep of the Modern
Few weeks ago I was invited to guide a group of visitors through Manifesta 9. Beside the regular tours with art mediators they had a special concept '4x9 Stories' where people from various disciplines are invited to guide visitors based on with their own point of view and expertise. Whether it be a sociologist or a musician, a cook or a fashion designer, one of the curators or one of the neighbours of our venue; each tour provides a new perspective on the exhibition.
I have to admit that I was nervous about it because I have never done something like this but Sandrien Wansink, one of the art mediators, helped me through. It was such a great and inspiring day. Manifesta 9 in Genk is really a must-see exhibition. Soon more posts but for now have a look at the pictures for an impression.
More info about Manifesta 9 (Waterschei, Genk (Belgium): http://manifesta9.org

Out of Storage

Last weekend, Saturday 25th July, finally after few years of preparations Out of Storage opened in the Timmerfabriek.
I was there at the vip opening with a very nice and cosy lunch. Out of Storage is a big thing for a small town of Maastricht.

Out of Storage. Provisoire & Définitif
Largest temporary art museum of Europe set up in Maastricht

Collection FRAC Nord-Pas de Calais
On June 25th 2011, the international exhibition Out of Storage opened in the Timmerfabriek in Maastricht. Hundreds of artworks from the collection of FRAC Nord-Pas de Calais moved temporarily to Maastricht: works by Pawel Althamer, Superflex, Andy Warhol, Sol LeWitt, Vito Acconci, Christian Boltanski alongside Hedi Slimane, Atelier van Lieshout, Barbara Visser, Claire Fontaine and Liam Gillick. The Timmerfabriek is part of the historical site of the famous Sphinx ceramics factory and, covering over 5000 m2, it is one of the biggest industrial buildings in Maastricht. Out of Storage consists of a varied program of events, including exhibition, educational projects, research, workshops, debates, lectures and performances.

http://www.outofstorage.nl/en/