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".

Guillaume Bijl

(c)image: Ulrike Lindmayr
Projecten [Projects], 1977
Drawing , 13 x (30 x 40 cm)
ink, paper

"Social determination, political indoctrination, mass conditioning, generally unconscious, masturbation cultural, scientific aggression, zelfzekerdheid (sic) on basic social status, are elements that frequently recur in my work. Some "narrative" works, but sizeable projects (in the form of streets, museums and gallery transformations) testify to this. I try in these projects, as close as possible to reality contiguous situation or system (see series of treatments), devoid of aesthetics, material strip, and symbolism recreated, where the spectator (participant) directly into gekonfonteerd is. A certain element of humor creates a tragicomic effect and a necessary relativation without agitation target limit." (Gillaume Bijl)