Dreams and Nightmares of Europe in Maastricht
The Painted Bird is a joint art work by Marie Aly, Cian Yu Bai, Bonno van Doorn, Kim David Bots, Gijs Frieling, Natasja Kensmil Klaas Kloosterboer, Mirthe Klück, Frank Koolen, Fiona Lutje House, Charlott Markus, Kalle Mattsson, Jan the Pavert, Tanja Ritterbex Sam Samiee, Charlotte Schleiffert, Derk Thijs, Sarah Verbeek, Helen Verhoeven, Evi Vingerling and Job Wouters in Marres, House for Contemporary Culture.
Photo’s: Connie van Driel
Europe 2017. Are we dancing on a volcano? Are renewed nationalism, xenophobia, the distrust of politics and democracy, the arrival of refugees, and economic insecurity preparing us for a terrible meltdown? It is well possible. It shouldering give us hope for this project, since the best art is produced on the verge of despair, When civilizations crumble and we’re about to shift into a new world order.
Marres Maastricht produced a spectacular mural about Europe by nineteen artists who have painted all rooms, corridors, the stairwell, floors and ceilings of the historic Marres House. Having a surface area of about 750 m2, the painting depicts a series of beautiful and frightening environments, zoals a high-tech clone supermarket, the last surviving piece of primeval forest, a Berlin love and hippie fest space, a spider portrait corridor, a new life festival in the year 2050.
Gijs Frieling directed the modern Gesamtkunstwerk. The artists Frank and Kim Koolen David Bots developed a comprehensive soundtrack, and Charlott Markus and Kalle Mattsson make a publication.
The Painted Bird, 10.03.17—13.08.17.
