Graphic design Chloe D Hauwe
30.06.19 - 29.09.19
With Schöne Sentimenten, which will be presented this summer, the museum Dhondt-Dhaenens brings the potential of its collection to the fore. In the exhibition, core works from the museum's own collection enter into dialogue with works from private collections which the MDD currently manages or would like to manage in the future. The whole is therefore not a classical, but rather an imaginary collection presentation. Real works of art are combined with 'absent' works so as to emphasise the importance, capacity and possibilities of the displayed collections.
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A particular perspective
The core of the exhibition consists of pieces from the Dhondt-Dhaenens, Matthys-Colle and Cooreman collections, each of which played an important role in the acceptance of modern and contemporary art in Flanders. Together they virtually span the entire 20th century and, as a whole, provide a particular perspective on different styles, genres and movements, ranging from Flemish Modernism from the museum's own collection, to post-war Belgian and American art from the Matthys-Colle collection and contemporary, global art from the Cooreman collection.
Edgard Tytgat, Herinnering aan een zondag, 1926
museum Dhondt-Dhaenens / © Sabam Belgium 2019
Iconic works from the Dhondt-Dhaenens collection by, among others, Albert Servaes, Rik Wouters, Constant Permeke and James Ensor are confronted with established names such as Franz West and Thierry De Cordier, as well as young talent such as Sarah Baker and Lucy Mckenzie. The artworks are presented in a number of groups: they are freely combined through substantive connections, attitudes, and aesthetic or formal choices. The labyrinthine, open set-up opens possibilities for new associations and stimulates the imagination of the viewer.
Schöne Sentimenten refers to an eponymous edition by artist Jan Vercruysse, which is given a central place in the exhibition. The title implicitly alludes to the beauty, but also the fragility of a museum collection. This suggestive collection presentation, placed in an individual scenography by Maxime Prananto, including the enormous series of posters by Michel François that are hung in and around the MDD, raises questions and provides possible solutions around the future of these collections.
Schöne Sentimenten, courtesy museum Dhondt-Dhaenens / foto: Rik Vannevel
With
Atelier E.B. , Sarah Baker, Hans Bellmer, Michaël Borremans*, Jean-Marc Bustamante*, Christo*, Franz Courtens, Thierry De Cordier, Raoul De Keyser*, Elmgreen & Dragset, Lili Dujourie*, James Ensor, Henri Evenepoel, Joel Fisher, Alicia Framis*, Michel François, Gilbert & George*, Domenico Gnoli*, Mike Kelley*, Martin Kippenberger, Konrad Klapheck*, John Kørner*, Art & Language*, Lucy Mckenzie, Mario Merz*, Matt Mullican, Juan Muñoz*, Bruce Nauman*, Claes Oldenburg*, Cornelia Parker, Constant Permeke, Thomas Ruff, Gregor Schneider, Thomas Schütte, Albert Servaes, Andreas Slominski, Gustave De Smet, Josh Smith*, Jean Tinguely*, Ryan Trecartin*, Joëlle Tuerlinckx, Luc Tuymans*, Edgard Tytgat, Frits Van den Berghe, Jan Vercruysse, Andy Warhol*, Marthe Wery, Tom Wesselmann*, Franz West, Rik Wouters & Lynette Yiadom-Boakye.
* not physically included in the exhibition
A significant added value
In the context of the historically-grown sensitivity of the Dhondt-Dhaenens museum to the significance of the committed art collector, the MDD pays special attention to public access, research and the presentation of committed Flemish private collections. Since 2007, Tanguy Eeckhout, former curator of the MDD, has conducted scientific research into private collections that have played an important role in the acceptance of contemporary art in Belgium and whose importance transcends the private sphere. This approach has been reflected, since hat time, in biennial collection presentations.
The exhibitions to date include the Roger and Hilda Matthys-Colle collection (2007), the Wilfried and Yannicke Cooreman collection (2009), the Tony Herbert collection (2011) and the Jeanne and Charles Vandenhove collection (2013). Later, a business collection was also made accessible, the Proximus Art Collection (2015), together with an institutional collection, which was presented in the exhibition "Walther Vanbeselaere, Collector for the State, 1948-1973" (2017).
Jan Vercruysse, Atopies V, 1985
Matthys-Colle Collection / © Sabam Belgium 2019
foto: Henk Schoenmakers
This expertise and these intense collaborations with private collections have led to new forms of collaboration models and management agreements. This has greatly expanded the patrimony of the MDD in recent years. In addition to its own collection, the MDD now also manages a group of works from a number of private collections that represent significant added value within the Flemish and even international museum landscape.
Schöne Sentimenten, courtesy museum Dhondt-Dhaenens / foto: Rik Vannevel
Visit Schöne Sentimenten
→ with a group and guide
→ by bike
→ in combination with The Wunderkammer Residence
→ with children
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