clashing of worlds

Clashing of worlds
-> confronting myself with others // In my dream on the screen

People often say that Art imitates life. Or is it the other way around? Art and reality do often mirror each other. Both are, on one hand, created or malleable. Entirely subject to the whims and will of humanity. But on the other hand,they are also completely autonomous. They tell their own truths and hold their own stories that we have to live with.

The age-old paradox of creation. From Prometheus to Frankenstein. The act of making is inherently an act of giving away agency. But how do we relate to the worlds we create when that world confronts us?

In a time of polarization, violence, and extremism, learning to pause and engage with confrontation is a matter of vital importance. Where lies the difference between our inner world and reality? Between our artistic intention and the autonomous artwork?

What space opens up in this contrast? And how do we find nuance between I and we, between now and never?

This group exhibition presents the work of 4 artists who are each, in their own way, world-builders. But world-builders who aren’t blind to the aforementioned dilemma of authorship. With intention, we breathe life, value, and meaning into the objects and worlds we create. But we are not alone. The other also creates — and moreover influences our outcome. That’s where the risk lies. But does that always result in tension and disappointment, or is there room for acceptance and dialogue? The art in this exhibition explores this tension and also engages in dialogue with each other. Together, the exhibition offers space to reflect on how we navigate the moments in which we are confronted with the world and the consequences of our own actions.

by Stein van der Ziel

Together we are building the world. By doing what we do and being what we are we’re shaping a whole world, brimming with life. Everybody is building this world from their own perspective, with all these perceived worlds overlapping into each other. These worlds start as small gatherings, growing into bigger communities,  to even bigger constructs. So immersive, it can’t be fully understood anymore.

Of course all these individuals, all these communities and all these entities have differences between the others. Their needs, experiences, opinions don’t have to be the same to coexist. But they do coexist, making it something bigger than our own, little world of perception. We are part of each other's worlds, and if we want to be truly respectful with each other, we need to understand where we need to give space, make space and where we can take some.

Sometimes it seems we forget to take in account the spaces that everybody needs to thrive. For example when people, processes or structures aggressively clash into a person’s personal sphere. This can be by accident, but sometimes this is happening on purpose. When it happens on purpose, such a thing should be countered. When it’s happening by accident then we need to address it. Trying to work out a situation where everybody is at peace within their worlds and places.

<Clashing of Worlds> is an exhibition that is working with these perceptions of worlds and the place of individuals in it. Four artists working with their projection of the world and their place in it. Every move can be seen as a confrontation between their own individual self and the world they place themselves in. In search of the space they take and the space they need to exist. By moving in this space you are taking up space, but taking part of this world is also taking some space from yourself.

Every artist is searching for elements that form their perception in these worlds. Searching for how to make space for themselves and how the spaces take from the individuals. How to move within these spheres, and how you are moved by it. Looking for experiences and stories that need to be told to work towards a situation where everybody can feel at home. Not just for themselves, but especially for everybody and everything.

<Clashing of Worlds> is bringing 4 worlds together in an exhibition not just clash between the individual and their world, but also where these worlds also clash with each other. Are we able to grow together?

by Lucas Sloot