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".

SPIRITUALITEIT | SPIRITUALITY

(c)image: M HKA
Lichtmahl [Light Meal], 1996
Installation , Variable
lamps, fruit

In her work, Róza El-Hassan attempts to portray the complexity of ourselves and our surroundings. She shows that things never stand alone, but are always under tension and connected. The installation Lichtmahl belongs to El-Hassan's earlier works, in which she took this idea quite literally and often tried to visualise energy and natural forces. For Lichtmahl, Róza El-Hassan places light bulbs of various sizes in pieces of fresh fruits and vegetables. The lights underline the presence of nutritious power in each piece, but also emphasise their fragility; as the fruits and vegetables start to rot, the lights fully expose their slow decay. The title of the work refers to 'light' in many senses - light can mean illumination, airiness and freshness, but can also be used to typify something weak or insubstantial.