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From 7 June to 6 July, Artichoque Art Gallery presents the exhibition Wonderlijkheden van Hans van der Weijden . The exhibition takes place in the context of the Heiligdomsvaart in Maastricht. This centuries-old tradition forms a rich breeding ground for the work of Van der Weijden, who has been fascinated by relics, reliquaries and the stories associated with them for years. In a special arrangement, the artist's new works will be on display together with old relics from his private collection. The exhibition will be festively opened on 7 June at 4 pm by Astrid Smeets, chief curator of the Maastricht Museum .
Old and new
Van der Weijden is not only a visual artist, but also a passionate collector of antique reliquaries. In the exhibition Wonderlijkheden he brings his two worlds together. Old relics from his private collection are presented alongside his newest objects: contemporary boxes, cabinets and assemblages in which he keeps worldly souvenirs and personal memories. Each work is a carefully constructed gem – a tribute to preserving, giving meaning and cherishing.
Both Van der Weijden's collection of historical relics and his non-religious works of art show a great sense for the material used. Van der Weijden makes boxes and cabinets from zinc and stores his secrets and memories in them. Ostrich eggs and sea urchins become storage places for what the artist calls his 'finds'. These assemblages are decorated with all kinds of ornaments - shells, stones, beads, feathers, twigs and strings - which are sometimes displayed as a gem behind a viewing glass.
A nod to the relic
How do you give meaning to a relic, a work of art or a personal object? The answer lies – at least in part – in the presentation of these objects. By placing the object in a decorated holder or a display case, it acquires a ritual value. In Wonderlijkheden, Van der Weijden plays with this notion by bringing the medieval 'heavenly' relics into a worldly context. At the same time, he shows the special nature of everyday finds by presenting them as relics. In this way, both old and new become meaningful again.
The exhibition can be visited from May 24 to July 6, from Thursday to Sunday 1-5 pm. Please note that it is closed on Sunday June 8 and Sunday June 15.
The opening will take place on May 24 at 4 pm by Astrid Smeets. Admission is free . RSVP
Old and new
Van der Weijden is not only a visual artist, but also a passionate collector of antique reliquaries. In the exhibition Wonderlijkheden he brings his two worlds together. Old relics from his private collection are presented alongside his newest objects: contemporary boxes, cabinets and assemblages in which he keeps worldly souvenirs and personal memories. Each work is a carefully constructed gem – a tribute to preserving, giving meaning and cherishing.
Both Van der Weijden's collection of historical relics and his non-religious works of art show a great sense for the material used. Van der Weijden makes boxes and cabinets from zinc and stores his secrets and memories in them. Ostrich eggs and sea urchins become storage places for what the artist calls his 'finds'. These assemblages are decorated with all kinds of ornaments - shells, stones, beads, feathers, twigs and strings - which are sometimes displayed as a gem behind a viewing glass.
A nod to the relic
How do you give meaning to a relic, a work of art or a personal object? The answer lies – at least in part – in the presentation of these objects. By placing the object in a decorated holder or a display case, it acquires a ritual value. In Wonderlijkheden, Van der Weijden plays with this notion by bringing the medieval 'heavenly' relics into a worldly context. At the same time, he shows the special nature of everyday finds by presenting them as relics. In this way, both old and new become meaningful again.
The exhibition can be visited from May 24 to July 6, from Thursday to Sunday 1-5 pm. Please note that it is closed on Sunday June 8 and Sunday June 15.
The opening will take place on May 24 at 4 pm by Astrid Smeets. Admission is free . RSVP
