Observatorium: 'observations on the present state'
19 April thru 14 June 2009
Location: Hogewal 1-9
Opening: Saturday 18 April 2009, 5 pm
Preceded at 4 pm by an introductory conversation: Arno van Roosmalen & Bram Esser;
Patrick van der Klooster (director AIR) & Observatorium.
Photos of opening reception and installation:
click here.
Over the last decade, the artists' collective Observatorium, which consists of Geert van de Camp, Andre Dekker and Ruud Reutelingsperger,
has realised an impressive international body of work, comprising
various temporary and permanent three-dimensional pieces in the public
environment. Stroom Den Haag presents the first major survey of these
projects.
The history of Observatorium is recounted by Bram Esser,
writer/philosopher with a strong love of the city, architecture and
urban life. Like a scout, Esser has explored twelve Observatorium works
on the basis of the topographical coordinates. He formulates,
visualizes the perspective and questions. His journey past the
different works, his travel account, the images and the souvenirs are
all attributes of the narrative/presentation ‘observations on the
present state'.
These collected reflections, Esser's physical presence in a new
Observatorium installation, the interaction with the visitors and the
Observatorium archive together form the core of this retrospective. The
projects of Observatorium are objects that virtually without exception
are intended to create an opportunity for concentration, contemplation
and observation. They are often monumental works of art erected
alongside highways, in city parks, in new residential developments and
near industrial heritage sites. Functioning in the realm of the visual
arts, they take their themes from architecture and landscape design.
Antonello da Messina's painting ‘St. Jerome in His Study' (ca.
1460) serves as the foundation for the work of Observatorium. It
depicts elements that also recur throughout the exhibition: a platform,
cupboards, statues, texts, animals and a human figure who narrates,
reads and symbolises contemplation.
Publication
The book ‘Big Pieces of Time', an artist's book about the Observatorium design philosophy, will be published this year by 010 Publishers.
Reference Points
The Observatorium exhibition is the first in a series of ‘reference
points'. Artists and artists' collectives play an important part in
Stroom's policy and programme. Several of these artists can be seen as
playing a directive role. In order to stay focused and inspired, Stroom
aims to pay specific attention to these artists.
Acknowledgement
Mondriaan Foundation Amsterdam and The Netherlands Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture in Amsterdam.
Download the exhibition notes (pdf file).
Links
Observatorium Blog
Website Observatorium
Website Bram Esser
- 19 Apr '09 - 14 Jun '09
- Hogewal 1-9, The Hague
- Entrance: free