The exhibition project Middle Gate II – The Story of Dymphna is a collaboration between M HKA (Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp) and the cultural centre de Werft in Geel. Middle Gate II is the follow up to the exhibition Middle Gate, curated by Jan Hoet in Geel in 2013. The exhibition concept is closely tied to the legend of the holy Dymphna, saint of the possessed, the mentally ill and patroness against epilepsy and insanity. The legend of Dymphna shares a strong connection to the identity of Geel, "the charitable city".

Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven / AMVK

(c)image: AMVK
Le Mal, la Morale et Sentimental, 1982
Installation

"In alignment with the outcome ‘INDUSTRIELE TYPEN’ and the investigation throughout the written and illustrated press this installation, on request, in the worn out cafeteria of the ICC in Antwerp.
This disgusting place seemed afterwards the ideal spot to present my travel through the dirty inside of the common norms, that lead to most human acts. Here I distilled the movement of the human motives behind each action that has not to do with propagation and maintaining of the species.
These motives always include a starting point
(1), an elaboration (2), and a conclusion, as well as the fact that in the elaboration (2) of things always the sum of the starting-point (1) includes the starting-point plus the conclusion (1 + 3) and the elaboration itself.

Thus:

1. Le mal                -               vertical movement - stand
 

  1. Temper                         1’. We want power
  2. Fit                                 2’. We want knowledge
  3. Dream                          3’. We want followers

 

2. La morale             -             oblique movement - sit
 

  1. Lust                               1’. Big power
  2. Despise                         2’. Challenge
  3. The soul                        3’. Fertile.

 

3. Sentimental           -           horizontal movement - lay
 

  1. Family-embargo          1’. Movement
  2. Structure of                  2’. Attitude
  3. Identity                         3’. Direction.

Note:
I have made sure by means of the pictural illustrations to make clear that each number 2 is equal to 1 + (1 + 3) + 2. This goes as far as the spectator adults. At the opening CLUB MORAL took care of an accompying hypnotic effect by the use of sounds and reciting texts on trance.

1. Aggressivity            by stiffness
2. Weakness               by love of ease
3. Power                     by bottomlessness


The under-development zone of misthoughts forms the right coordinates to - definitions as occasionable tables and false ceiling to - in brief, intuition is the perfect timing concerning tourism, folklore + politics of the mind!"

− AMVK