A pick-up truck is speared by a mountain from below and lifted up. Where mountains normally grow a few centimetres a year, this one got a real growth spurt: the mountain is having a blast! The model for this work, 'Story of the Mountain that grew too fast', made by artist Vincent Dams (1983, Eindhoven) has been enlarged many times over for PARK's space. "That's the challenge," says Dams. "To see if we can make that car!"
In the exhibition, Dams also refers to Voltaire's book 'Candide', subtitled 'or optimism'. If anything or anyone can be called happy or optimistic, it is a dog. Look at the painting triptych of dog Candide, the protagonist in this story. His tongue and ears flapping in the wind, his nose forward, no problem.
All the works in the exhibition contain this fresh and healthy absurdism. Because where, on the one hand, it is almost idiotic to keep on walking - as if nothing is wrong - depicting even more misery at the same time does not deliver anything. In times of crisis and misery, says the artist, everyone can use a bit of positivism. To make the corners of our mouths curl, like a dog wagged by a slice of sandwich sausage.
The opening on Saturday 7 January 2023 at 4 pm will be performed by author and advisor Alex de Vries. You are kindly invited.
On the occasion of this exhibition, Vincent Dams made two special editions. Go to shop for all information.
Click here for the exhibition guide (in Dutch).
Click here for the opening speech by Alex de Vries (in Dutch).
In the media:
- Stadsnieuws - 06-01-2023
- Eindhovens Dagblad online - 27-01-2023
- Eindhovens Dagblad - 27-01-2023
- Zout Magazine - 28-01-2023
- Brabants Dagblad - 07-02-2023
- Kunstblijfteenraadsel - 02-2023
