KunstFort Asperen Exhibition, Ben van Berkel, Caroline Bos, Dutch Project Picture

KunstFort Asperen, The Netherlands – Exhibition

RETREAT Exhibition by UNStudio at KunstFort Asperen

RETREAT Exhibition at KunstFort Asperen

Curated by Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos / UNStudio

10 Jul 2009

KunstFort Asperen Exhibition

New images, 10 Jul 2009 – RETREAT photos courtesy of Katrien Franken:

A.P. Komen

Andrea Zittel

Ann Lislegaard

Cosmic Wonder

Frank Havermans

Jerszy Seymour

Pipilotti Rist

Sandra Backlund

Tobias Rehberger

RETREAT Exhibition

12 May 2009

pictures from architect

Unexpected views
On June 28th the exhibition RETREAT at KunstFort Asperen will be open to the public. Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos invited 12 artists to exhibit works which provide surprising interpretations on the theme of RETREAT from differing disciplines and perspectives.

Participating artists are: Frank Havermans, Tobias Rehberger, Absalon, Jerszy Seymour, Andrea Zittel, Lucy Orta, Hans Op de Beeck, Ann Lislegaard, Pipilotti Rist, Cosmic Wonder & Yukinori Maeda, Sandra Backlund, A.P. Komen/Karen Murphy.
The theme shares a close affinity with the work of Van Berkel and Bos, combining a rich and diverse theoretical position to which the artists respond in their own ways and with very specific ideas surrounding spatial experience.

RETREAT Installation
Inspired by the fort’s concentric floor plan UNStudio has designed a spatial installation which reinterprets the organization of the fort. The object is a cross between a sculpture, a piece of furniture and a route indicator for visitors. The structure winds through the fort like a ribbon, playing with the changing perceptions and experiences of the space, both literally and symbolically. Unexpected views are created, the functionality of the space is interrupted and reality is stretched.

The structure forms a binding element between the various artworks and the three levels of the fort. The material and the diamond structure of the installation reflect the exhibited artworks which are installed around the fort.

pictures from architect

RETREAT Exhibition
The fort and its surroundings form the starting point for the theme RETREAT. The fortress has lost its original function, whereby the perception of place and space has changed. This transition from defense post to idyllic place forms the premise of the exhibition. The theme, although reflecting today’s socio-economic realities, was in fact chosen prior to the current global crisis. For a long time van Berkel and Bos have been interested in exploring places and spaces which extend function and stretch reality.

KunstFort Asperen
In 1984 Fort Asperen was included in the high-profile outdoor exhibition ‘Images of the Linge’. Since 1986 annual multidisciplinary exhibitions have been hosted under the artistic direction of renowned curators such as: Rudi Fuchs, Dick Raaijmakers, Horst Rickes, Walter Maioli, Anna Tilroe, Lidewij Edelkoort en Peter Greenaway.

In 2009 the Fort Asperen Foundation changed its name to KunstFort Asperen. KunstFort Asperen hosts leading contemporary art/design events in an integrated interplay between the fort and the exhibited works.

For each exhibition KunstFort Asperen appoints a renowned curator to realise the show.

Location: The Netherlands, western Europe