In the spring of 2021, Belgian artist Walter Swennen spent two months at the Frans Masereel Centrum in preparation of his solo exhibition The Kasterlee Case.
The titel is as misleading as it is aptly chosen. Indeed, far more than a story or a concept, the exhibition is a fragment from the life of Walter Swennen, determined by time and location. The actual case, namely the lack of any plot, thus becomes a pars pro toto for the entire artistic practice of the artist, who is not easily caught out.
Visual and literary quotations create an illusion of meaning and recognition, an illusion that there is something to hold on to. As in his paintings, however, one perceives in the works on paper shown in the exhibition that this is a diversion rather, and sometimes an excuse. The humour reinforces the insight that there are several ways of looking at something.
Besides brand-new work on paper, the exhibition also includes work from 1965 that has now been printed for the first time and will be presented this one time only. The exhibition thus spans Walter Swennen’s artistic practice from 1965 (when he was still studying at the Royal Academy in Brussels) to mid 2021, but only in a literal sense. The gaping void in-between might just be read as meaningful.
Every paying visitor receives a copy of the artist’s publication ‘Vrienden, Buren & Vijanden’ (2021) on entry. For children between 5 and 12 an additional creative assignment has been developed.
Friday-Sunday (13-17h)
Entrance: 5 Euros (free: -18 years, ICOM)
To ensure a calm and safe visit, we ask you to purchase your tickets online.
In the spring of 2021, Belgian artist Walter Swennen spent two months at the Frans Masereel Centrum in preparation of his solo exhibition The Kasterlee Case.
The titel is as misleading as it is aptly chosen. Indeed, far more than a story or a concept, the exhibition is a fragment from the life of Walter Swennen, determined by time and location. The actual case, namely the lack of any plot, thus becomes a pars pro toto for the entire artistic practice of the artist, who is not easily caught out.
Visual and literary quotations create an illusion of meaning and recognition, an illusion that there is something to hold on to. As in his paintings, however, one perceives in the works on paper shown in the exhibition that this is a diversion rather, and sometimes an excuse. The humour reinforces the insight that there are several ways of looking at something.
Besides brand-new work on paper, the exhibition also includes work from 1965 that has now been printed for the first time and will be presented this one time only. The exhibition thus spans Walter Swennen’s artistic practice from 1965 (when he was still studying at the Royal Academy in Brussels) to mid 2021, but only in a literal sense. The gaping void in-between might just be read as meaningful.
Every paying visitor receives a copy of the artist’s publication ‘Vrienden, Buren & Vijanden’ (2021) on entry. For children between 5 and 12 an additional creative assignment has been developed.
Friday-Sunday (13-17h)
Entrance: 5 Euros (free: -18 years, ICOM)
To ensure a calm and safe visit, we ask you to purchase your tickets online.
