Saturday, February 21, 2009

Iris van Dongen stedelijk museum schiedam NL







Iris van Dongen (Tilburg, 1975, lives and works in Berlin) is a snake-charmer in art. Her work evokes soft sounds, but also a suspicion of furtive danger. She creates painterly drawings that are dominated by women: monumental, multicoloured and mysterious.
With dual layers of pastels and charcoal over one another, Van Dongen evokes gorgeous heroines in a shadowy environment. They could be sisters or, to put it more imaginatively, modern descendants of the goddesses from classical mythology: eternally young, beautiful and strong, and adorned with the allure of a (tragic) princess, even in their sorrow.
Moreover, reflections of the present day and current surroundings converge with memories of romantic or symbolic painting from the nineteenth century, by English Pre-Raphaelites such as John Everett Millais and Viennese Jugendstil artists such as Gustave Klimt. But even with their entire wealth of history, her women are clearly ambassadors of the twenty-first century.
In a period of five years, between 2003 and 2009, they have developed from melancholy girls to emancipated celebrities, who seem to have stepped directly out of a film noir and subsequently perform as pin-ups. Whereas they once let their minds drift away, as endearing figureheads of gothic subculture, clad in black-and-white sweatbands and scarves covered in skulls, they now stand tall and unflinching before the public: as magical creatures with red flash-light eyes, who can indulge in living dragons as amulets and allow a tangle of snakes to twine around their legs.
These femmes fatales are mistress of themselves, nature and the beast in mankind. At the same time, the snake is their weapon, their jewel and their alter ego. The title given by Van Dongen in 2008 to the series of drawings is Suspicious, and it immediately sounds as if the snake himself is speaking. His hissing ensures us that one cannot mock these heroines, alert and self-conscious as they are. They are the high-priestesses of women-power.
Although Van Dongen's work is appealingly well drawn, delicately coloured and richly decorated almost to the point of decadence, that duality of worlds consistently recurs. The seductive and the treacherous are willing bedfellows. Just as the king, queen and jack are duplicated as inverted busts on playing cards, and on tarot cards the fabulous figures lend themselves for an abundance of interpretations, Van Dongen's drawings are replete with contrast: inner and outer, light and dark, life and death, all revelling in a continuous role-play.
Night has Fallen (2005) displays a young girl cloaked by shadow, carrying her heart in her hands, as if she is offering it – perhaps to us, her public, perhaps to a lover who is out of the picture. Elsewhere she advances side by side with death, in works with significant titles such as She is the Night (2004). Here, she emerges from a garden in which a skull can be seen in the leaves of the trees, as in a vision. Her hypnotizing gaze reinforces the feeling that she is situated in a twilight zone, halfway between the present-day and the hereafter, where a skull is more of an object than a symbol; it is more of a creature, like a snake.
The skull, the snake and the devil. In the latest work, Mephisto appears on the scene, sometimes in the background as a sculptural decoration near to a seated woman, but also in person. We see him half dancing with a woman who is hanging in his arms, drowsy with sleep. Their loose embrace is tender, with elegant gestures, and the threat of a cruel twist of fate hangs eternally above them. The drawing entitled Echo (2008) sublimates a moment in time: the indivisible oneness of light and dark. Or, in the words of Van Dongen: ‘It is as if the woman's spirit has become visible next to her body.' With the skull, the snake and the devil, she has life and death walk side by side in all her drawings, as do good and evil. ‘Because that is simply the way we live: with our demons in and around us.'

To accompany the exhibition Iris van Dongen. Suspicious. Drawings 2003 – 2009 a catalogue with a wide selection of the drawings will be published in conjunction with BnM Uitgevers. This book, with an essay by Sacha Bronwasser, will be available in the Museum Shop for € 25.

Quote taken from a conversation between the author and the artist in her studio in Berlin, 13 November 2008



Iris van Dongen. Suspicious
Tekeningen 2003 – 2009
25 januari – 10 mei 2009

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

get [URL=http://jacket-dresses.net/]moncler outlet[/URL] at my estore ZZXnjSgT [URL=http://jacket-dresses.net/ ] http://jacket-dresses.net/ [/URL]

Anonymous said...

But the safety board, and now Markey, D-Mass., said employees from Transocean and Cameron have been getting preferential and sometimes hands-on access to the blowout preventer. [url=http://www.2012canadagoosepascher.fr]Canada Goose Pas Cher[/url] I must remind you of that. The reason being after using the supplement consistently, they began to see a large difference within their all around health.. So began his love affair with drawing and painting the rural landscape..
Humans have inhabited the Siberian Tundra. http://www.icanadagooseca.com I speak regularly before physicians, researchers, and other health-care professionals who devote their lives to helping patients eat sensibly and lose weight. http://officialcanadagoosesoutlet.ca
[url=http://flyballbags.com]canada goose jacket[/url] Zombies [DVD Comic Book Insert] Starring Madison Burge, Melissa Carnell, Frederic DossLady of the Dark: Genesis of the Serpent VampireLast Breath [Blu-ray] Starring Jeff East Madison County (Unrated) Starring Ace Marrero, Katie Stegeman, Nick PrincipeMask Maker [Blu-ray] Starring Nikki Deloach, Stephen Coletti, Anabella CasanovaMask Maker Starring Nikki Deloach, Stephen Coletti, Anabella CasanovaMother's Day [Blu-ray/DVD Combo] Starring Rebecca De Mornay, Shawn Ashmore and Jamie KingMother's Day Starring Rebecca De Mornay, Shawn Ashmore and Jamie KingMurder Obsession (Follia Omicida) [Blu-ray] Starring John Richardson, Stefano Patrizi, Anita StrindbergPlayback [Blu-ray] Starring Christian Slater, Ambyr Childers, Toby HemingwayPlayback Starring Christian Slater, Ambyr Childers, Toby HemingwayPoe Starring Stelio Savante, David Fine, Gene Silvers and Sal LandiPsychotica [Blu-ray] Starring Megan Hutchings and Tara JoshiSeattle's Loch Ness: The Lake Washington Sea Monster Starring Graham GreeneShock Labyrinth Starring Ai Maeda, Suzuki Matsuo and Shoichiro MasumotoThe Shrine Starring Aaron Ashmore, Meghan Heffern, Cindy SampsonShock Labyrinth [2D/3D Blu-ray + DVD] Starring Ai Maeda, Suzuki Matsuo and Shoichiro MasumotoUnderworld: Awakening (+ UltraViolet Digital Copy) [Blu-ray 3D] Starring Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy, India Eisley and Stephen ReaUnderworld: Awakening [Blu-ray] Starring Kate BeckinsaleUnderworld: Awakening Starring Kate BeckinsaleMODERN CLASSICS on BLU-RAYTora Tora Tora [Blu-ray] Starring Joseph Cotten, Martin Balsam, Leon Ames and So YamamuraSCIENCE FICTION / FANTASYCypher Starring Jeremy NorthamLexx: Complete Season 2 Starring Michael McManus, Nigel Bennett, Brian DowneyTV LANDThe Big C: The Complete Second Season Starring Laura Linney and Oliver PlattChuck: The Complete Fifth Season Starring Zachary Levi, Yvonne Strahovski and Adam BaldwinChuck: The Complete Fifth Season [Blu-ray] Starring Zachary Levi, Yvonne Strahovski and Adam BaldwinFantasy Island: The Complete Second Season Starring Ricardo Montalban and Herve VillechaizeTim Eric's Billion Dollar Movie (Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy) [Blu-ray] Starring Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, Will FerrellTim Erics Billion Dollar Movie Starring Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, John C. [url=http://www.onlinebeatsbydreoutlet.com]best buy beats by dre pro white[/url]

Anonymous said...

view [URL=http://guccioutlet6.devhub.com/]gucci bags outlet[/URL] , just clicks away vRMwSgvI [URL=http://guccioutlet6.devhub.com/ ] http://guccioutlet6.devhub.com/ [/URL]

Anonymous said...

check this link, VzEfgTDG [URL=http://www.christianlouboutin--outlet.tumblr.com/ - christian louboutin cheap[/URL - suprisely kAGseIQs [URL=http://www.christianlouboutin--outlet.tumblr.com/ - http://www.christianlouboutin--outlet.tumblr.com/ [/URL -

Anonymous said...

cheap ugg boots baqoqqvb cheap uggs ffckkxcd ugg boots sale mxmzedxe ugg boots uk jkwslsnx ugg boots qexdmwzi ugg sale dcuymmmb

Anonymous said...

Howdy, I do think your web site could be having internet browser compatibility issues.
Whenever I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine
however, if opening in I.E., it's got some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Besides that, excellent website!

My weblog; bathroom in northern virginia

Anonymous said...

Wοnԁeгful blοg! I founԁ it while searching on Yahoo News.
Do you have any suggestіons on how to get listеd in Yаhoo News?
I've been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Thank you garcinia cambogia - garcinia cambogia - garcinia cambogia garcinia cambogia - http://www.richybug.com - http://la-photographie.com/

Look into my weblog; garcinia cambogia extract with potassium and calcium no fillers

Anonymous said...

We're a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
Your website provided us with useful information to work on.

You've done a formidable process and our whole group will likely be thankful to you.


Check out my web-site - garcinia cambogia reviews yahoo answers

Anonymous said...

I'm constantly web surfing for ideas that may benefit me.
And I have found yours. Appreciate it!

Also visit my web site - male enhancement products ()

Anonymous said...

Hello, i feel that i noticed you visited my
website so i got here to go back the prefer?.I am trying to to find things to enhance my site!I
suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!

My website :: aldolized

Anonymous said...

That is very interesting, You're a very professional blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and stay up for looking for more of your
excellent post. Also, I've shared your site in my social networks

My web site; canadian web page hosting

Anonymous said...

each time i used to read smaller posts which as well clear their motive,
and that is also happening with this article
which I am reading here.

My website :: como revertir la diabetes

Anonymous said...

I used to be able to find good information from your content.



Feel free to visit my weblog: anabolic cooking cookbook

Anonymous said...

electronic cigarettes, smokeless cigarettes, electronic cigarette, e cigarette reviews, electronic cigarettes, electronic cigarettes

oakleyses said...

insanity workout, lululemon, vans, beats by dre, converse outlet, ferragamo shoes, giuseppe zanotti outlet, gucci, celine handbags, soccer jerseys, iphone cases, chi flat iron, hollister, north face outlet, nike roshe run, bottega veneta, louboutin, ray ban, herve leger, wedding dresses, nike huaraches, jimmy choo outlet, asics running shoes, nike trainers uk, baseball bats, valentino shoes, reebok outlet, longchamp uk, abercrombie and fitch, p90x workout, hollister clothing, new balance shoes, mont blanc pens, nike air max, ralph lauren, nfl jerseys, vans outlet, soccer shoes, mcm handbags, hermes belt, nike air max, babyliss, hollister, north face outlet, timberland boots, instyler, mac cosmetics, converse, oakley, ghd hair

Unknown said...

www1130
ugg boots clearance
ray ban sunglasses
ugg outlet
nike shoes
pandora outlet
nike shoes outlet
stussy
true religion jeans outlet
coach outlet
adidas outlet

yanmaneee said...

michael kors handbags
fila shoes
russell westbrook shoes
balenciaga
retro jordans
jordan shoes
adidas yeezy
nike sneakers for men
nike air max 270
golden goose

Luxury Bags Outlet said...

In this way, references to ecology and revolution are brought together. I was always fascinated by that. In the future, the whole concept of the label might change a bit and the production in Portugal might be expanded. Instead, individuals are increasingly taking matters into their own hands to improve the world. One of the most prevalent has been the longer length version, working as a counterpoint to the mini skirt. The soon to be released Timecapsule shirt will feature prints designed in 1969 by Enzo Ragazzini, and is the Milan-based luxury house's Golden Goose Sneakers eighth exclusive Timecapsule drop. Patagonia founder Nike Dunks For Sale Yvon Chouinard's decision to give away his company to fight climate change is a recasting Luxury Bags Outlet of capitalism, the impact of which remains to be seen. In menswear, Celine Homme and Prada offered up slim-fit trousers, while the likes of Peter Do and Louis Vuitton displayed risque cuts and bold embellishments. Scotch Soda launched Air Jordan 1s On Sale its footwear line in 2018, and each season it offers an average of 15 styles for women, 10 for Yeezy Boost men, and 5 for kids, including its best-selling Plakka, Vivex and Celest sneakers. Casely-Hayford's pricing for its main line sits between 100 pounds to, in most cases, no higher than 1,000 pounds. On average, 50 kilograms of mac nua fruit is required to dye a 10 meter silk roll. Air Jordan 4 On Sale "This presents an significant opportunity for brands to get closer to their customers to Alexander McQueen Shoes understand what they want and how they want it, but that needs to be Air Force 1 For Sale delivered alongside a metaverse offer that is compelling and that stands the test of time, so it doesn't just become flash in the fashion pan."