Between owls, bats and blind spots
Lucebert (Lubertus Jacobus Swaanswijk, 1924 – 1994) was a Dutch poet and visual artist, known as one of the most important representatives of the Vijftigers. His work is characterized by an experimental, free style and a profound exploration of language, image and political engagement. In addition to his poetry and painting, he leaves behind a vast and influential body of work, which is still studied and exhibited today. In 2018, a controversial side of his past came to light, leading to renewed discussions about his work and legacy.
About the exhibition
Museum Cobra has invited artist collective it is part of an ensemble to respond to its artistic ideas and work. The collective is a changing group of approximately thirty artists, theater makers and performers who conduct research and create exhibitions, performances and publications together. In the exhibition Between Owls, Bats and Blind Spots, the collective explores the potential for ongoing metamorphosis in relation to Lucebert’s artistic legacy. Lucebert’s work is populated by strange creatures, monsters and fantasy animals – from innocent and lovely to ominous and evil – the collective places these characters in a contemporary perspective. In the exhibition, the collective brings together work by Lucebert with its own work and spatial interventions. At the center of the presentation is a studio and study space that will be actively used and transformed during the exhibition.
Luceberg House
During a working period at the Luceberg House, it is part of an ensemble delved into his oeuvre, his living environment and his sources of inspiration, such as literature and music. From this new work has emerged, ranging from collectively made drawings and collages to bread dough masks, costumes, free jazz performances and textile sculptures. For the exhibition, work by Lucebert from the collection of Museum Cobra is complemented by never-before-exhibited works from his family’s private collection, a short film by Johan van der Keuken and objects from the Lucebert House in Bergen.
About the collective it is part of an ensemble
it is part of an ensemble is a multidisciplinary collective that has been operating at the intersection of visual art and theater since 2018. For each project, new collaborations are entered into and the composition of the group changes. Recurring questions are: How do we live together, how do we work together? How do we shape our togetherness? This involves the whole ecology of living together, including non-human animals, plants, architecture and the environment. The collective previously had presentations in Billytown, The Hague; Club Solo, Breda; De Pont, Tilburg and Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens, Sint Martens Latem (B), among others.
Participating artists
Participating in this exhibition are Matea Bakula, Kim David Bots, Lotte Driessen, Marisa Goedhart, G.C. Heemskerk, Bas van den Hurk, Sjuul Joosen, Marijn van Kreij, Joost Krijnen, Jochem van Laarhoven, Marcia Liu, Bernice Nauta, Matthijs van de Sande Bakhuyzen, Samieh Shahcheraghi, Reinout Scholten van Aschat, Marianne Theunissen, Maxim Ventulé, Mattias van de Vijver, Loran van de Wier, Hussel Zhu and others.
