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".

Hugo Roelandt

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(c)videostill: Hugo Roelandt, 1971 - Courtesy Estate Hugo Roelandt, Antwerp

Een dag in het leven van een ster / A Day in the Life of a Star, 1971

Hugo Roelandt

Video , 00:12:01

16 mm film

For the film A Day in the Life of a Star, Hugo Roelandt directed his friend Alain Mathijssens, capturing the decadent, cabaret-like atmosphere of ‘20s and early ‘30s Berlin. Inspired by figures like Marlene Dietrich, the film also reflects the openness of expressing sexuality that characterised the ‘70s. The film draws inspiration from Andy Warhol’s non-narrative works such as Sleep (1964), which focus on mundane activities and stillness. Both Hugo Roelandt and Alain Matthijssens were part of the cabaret group Kiek, blending music and theatre in a camp aesthetic. They were part of the artistic scene surrounding Antwerp’s experimental, artist-run space Ercola in the ‘70s, which brought together students from both the Royal Academy and the University of Antwerp.

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