Middle Gate

    NLEN

    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

    Back
    Toujours en retard, 1969
    Wout Vercammen
    Painting , 80 x 180 cm
    acrylic, mixed media on canvas

    Vercammen and Deleu […] especially direct their commentary at our contemporary society.  The text-paintings from the former […] heckle and poke ridicule at more things than is first apparent.  What on the surface looks playful is, in fact, an expression of discontent.

    In its most explicit form, Wout Vercammen uses panels with mocking phrases painted in stenciled lettering: “Made in Belgium – Toujours en retard”.  ”The most ultramodern natural and original artificial artwork”. […]  The ambiguous use of the Belgian tricolor, brandishing with the stamp  “Belgium Registrated”, whereby any and everything - even the entire country - is taken possession of, providing material for reflection and, incidentally, attractive paintings as well.  Not without reason, has Pop Art highlighted the pictorial possibilities of the letter, the flag, the stamp and the signal.  And if the protest can also be beautifully rendered, then so much the better...  

    (bron: Speelse kritiek en kritisch spel [Playful critique and critical play], in: Gazet van Antwerpen 27/12/1978, Marc Callewaert)

    Back