Villa Les Zéphyrs
Henri Jasparlaan 173
8434 Westende
From April 27th, 2024, to November 3rd, 2024.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '99
Wear sunscreen
If I could offer you
only one tip for the future,
sunscreen would be it"
That's how "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" starts, the song with spoken text by director Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge, Elvis, The Great Gatsby, ...) in 1999. The text is intended as advice for youth and is based on a famous essay by Mary Schmich, a columnist at the Chicago Tribune.
The exhibition starts from the various themes mentioned in the text: wear sunscreen! Don’t worry about the future! Dance! Stretch! Respect your elders! Don’t mess too much with your hair! The song lyrics bring together international artists in the villa who reflect on the impact of the song using a wide range of techniques.
A delightful nineties revival, 25 years later.
Artists: Jamie Titterton/Janine Rewell, Joëlle Dubois, Larry Clark, Frieke Janssens, Musketon, Bart Stolle, Alexandra Crouwers, Matilda Skoglösa, Elen Braga, Noemi Iglesias Barrios, Vlad Solovov, Amandine Grulois, Elke Desutter, Marrie Bot, Sara Bomans, Antoine Schneck, Ick Reuvis, Lucy + Jorge Orta, Polly Pollet
Curator: Pieter Jan Valgaeren
Pieter Jan Valgaeren is a curator, researcher, and lecturer. Coming from a background in art history and law, he specialized in new media, hybrid art forms, technology, and intellectual property.
As artistic director of Stadstriënnale Hasselt-Genk, he created 'Trademarks' (2016), 'Screen It' (2020), as well as various projects such as 'Celibataire Divas' (2019) or 'Me, Myself and I' for BIP festival Liège 2020). In 2023, he curated the successful 'La Isla Bonita' and 'CTRL-X' at Villa Les Zéphyrs and Alt 1000+ festival in Switzerland.
Source: middelkerke.be