ESNS Art: Lumber by Aernout Mik
About this activity.
Festival bubbles are often praised for the sense of togetherness they create. But in the video installation Lumber, that sense of connection is not immediately apparent. The people we see seem to form a kind of call, yet it is unclear what binds them or where exactly they are. Sometimes a head begins to sway slightly in rhythm, but there is no sound. Did music bring them together, or are we witnessing a sit-in, or even a desolate shelter? The longer one watches, the more alienating movement reflexes in the group behavior become apparent, along with a kind of apathy that seems to pervade the crowd.
Thus is Lumber, ‘vintage’ Aernout Mik (Groningen, 1962). Although the artwork dates from 1999, it remains highly relevant today. We live in a time in which our society sometimes seems to fracture into irreconcilable bubbles. Has only the mud remained of Woodstock, the festival of festivals from 1969? Or do festivals still serve to keep alive the spark of freedom, diversity, and connection, prompting people to step outside their own bubbles?
Lumber will be on view from January 14 to 18 at the Grote Markt:
- Wednesday, January 14: 4:30 p.m. - 11:15 p.m.
- Thursday, January 15: 5:00 p.m. - midnight
- FridayJanuary 16: 5:00 p.m. - midnight
Lumber was realized as part of ESNS Art, a long-standing collaboration between ESNS and Kunstpunt Groningen.
Kunstpunt Groningen.
Kunstpunt Groningen (voorheen CBK) is hét knooppunt voor beeldende kunst. Wij lenen kunstwerken uit, begeleiden kunstopdrachten in de openbare ruimte en bij bedrijven, ontwikkelen educatieprojecten voor scholen en organiseren tentoonstellingen en activiteiten.
Kunstpunt Groningen (formerly CBK) is the hub for visual arts. We lend works of art, supervise art assignments in public spaces and at companies, develop educational projects for schools and organize exhibitions and activities.
Location.
Grote Markt
Grote Markt
9712 HN Groningen
tel (050) 317 17 07
www.kunstpuntgroningen.nl