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".

Wout Vercammen

©Courtesy of Gallery Ronny Van de Velde
Massa's, 1972-2015
Print , 200 x 100 cm
screen print op doek

The series of brightly colored silkscreen prints present images of news events from 1972, sourced from magazines and newspapers of the time.  The images are shown one atop the other, so entering into a mutual dialogue.  Vercammen takes on war, religion, the sexual revolution and the capitalist system.  The original works were made based on the notion that the future could only be brighter.  Unfortunately, some 43 years later it seems not to be the case, and that the confrontation has only grown stronger due to the unending stream of 'information'.