"Aernout Mik: Dispersions"
2004-07-01 until 2004-09-12
Haus der Kunst
Munich, , DE Germany

Aernout Mik was born in Groningen in 1962 and lives and works in Amsterdam. Since 1987 his video works have been seen in numerous solo and group exhibitions, initially in the Netherlands, later also internationally, for example at the Biennales of Sao Paulo (1991), Venice (1997 and 2001), Melbourne (1999), and Berlin (2001). In spring 2002 the Fundació Miró in Barcelona presented a major solo exhibition by the artist. n summer 2004 the Haus der Kunst will mount the first comprehensive solo exhibition in Germany of the highly regarded Dutch artist. He has been invited to present both old and more recent video installations over an area of 900 square metres. The centrepiece will be a video work conceived especially for the Haus der Kunst and produced in co-operation with the Museum Ludwig.

Aernout Mik’s grotesque, amusing, and at the same time serious films deal with the behaviour of people in a group, with their actions and reactions, although the reasons for their behaviour usually remain unclear. His figures move, apparently aimlessly, through the specially constructed rooms, perform certain actions with total concentration or interact with other people. While at first the actions appear logical and comprehensible, their meaninglessness quickly becomes apparent. This impression is reinforced by various tics on the part of the protagonists. The silence of Mik’s work emphasises their strange, unknown character, but at the same time allows them to integrate better into the space provided. Of central importance for the artist are the architectural surroundings, which his works react to, or which he interferes with by adding extra architectural elements. The production of his works transforms the exhibition rooms into experience rooms; the visitors become part of his study, the exhibition area becomes a laboratory.

The point of departure for his new installation is the former ‘Hall of Honour’ (‘Ehrenhalle’) in the Haus der Kunst. Against the background of a critical restoration Mik comes to terms with this place, spatially as well. He will transcend the existing limits, and his installation will encroach on the foyer, integrating it and making visible the original proportions of the hall, which have been altered by various phases of reconstruction since 1952.

IMAGE
Aernout Mik
16.10.27.04 video still1,
dispersion room

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