In Antwerp, classical statues in dialogue with contemporary art

What is the relationship between classical art and contemporary performances? Is it correct to define the latter as a kind of living statues where the formerly displayed body now becomes a more ephemeral but certainly highly engaging spectacle? Questions that the exhibition 'Come Closer' in Antwerp (Belgium) until 29 September tries to answer.

It is no coincidence that the exhibition is divided between two different locations: one part in the immense and luxuriant park of the Middelheim Museum with its incredible route of modern statues and sculptures, and a second, perfect location for performances, represented by De Singel, a multicultural centre that does not like definitions but artistic contamination, here in fact the visual arts mingle before breaking out of any academic definition. The artists involved in this project also share a commitment to redefining the relationship between artist, artwork and audience, with the aim of creating an environment where interaction and connection replace traditional separations.

The idea of the exhibition is to make the public dialogue with the works and the contemporary artists with the pre-existing works with an often surprising result, such as the two enormous cylindrical containers (A Retrospective View of the Pathway) by Englishman Roger Hiorns that produce foam (playing with them, interacting with the work is the visitors' mission) or the inflatable provocateurs by Polish artist Zuzanna Czebatul, which reproduce, magnifying them, chemical drug pills. Also noteworthy is Sarah & Charles's Puppetry & Puppets steel theatre that helps us see the real spectacle of nature, and the video Mirror Room III Outdoor that, amidst bushes and mirrors, shows the artistic production from 1968 to the present day of the American Joan Jonas. Nigerian artist Temitayo Ogunbiyi, on the other hand, presents an installation of evocative and nostalgic beauty formed by mortar stones, a legacy of his experience in his homeland. And again by the artist, we find a permanent installation in the park around De Singel. Here, a large steel "line" represents the route between Antwerp and Lagos, where the artist resides, and is integrated with an edible garden, with plants from various parts of the world, next to smaller play structures specially designed for children. It is precisely at De Singel that Amanda Piña's installation performance pays homage to the ocean and is based on the movements of ancient submarine species. In the Middelheim Park, the artist's eponymous sculpture To bloom () florecimiento can be admired, made according to the Mayan tradition of hammock weaving, which is still alive today in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Founded in 1950 in a protected landscape park in Antwerp, it presents works by the likes of Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, Rik Wouters, Barbara Hepworth and Marthine Tayou.

www.middelheimmuseum.be