Middle Gate
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".
©Collection M HKA
Guillaume Bijl started compiling his absurd assemblages from existing objects in 1987. Because he felt as though he was being ‘unfaithful’ to his realistic form, he called the works ‘Sorries’. By collecting objects related to our consumer society he assess mass culture and challenges the viewer’s sense of judgement. Aren’t we too easily led astray by the dazzling banality of consumer products?
