Radically Naive / Naively Radical

07.05 — 07.11.21

Group exhibition

Curated by Joachim Naudts

Participating artists Thomas Bellinck, Ben Benaouisse, Seyni Awa Camara, Saddie Choua, Helga Davis & Anouk De Clercq, Vesna Faassen & Lukas Verdijk, Iman Issa, Léonard Pongo, Egon Van Herreweghe, Gert Verhoeven, Katarina Zdjelar

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‘Radically Naive / Naively Radical’ captures the state of mind foisted on us by the present era. An era in which we seem to be drifting from tipping point to tipping point: 9/11 and the so-called War on Terror, the Arab Spring, the alt-right, #MeToo, the migration crisis, Trump, #BLM, the constant threat of climate change … Is COVID-19 the final nail in the coffin? Do we now submit to the sea of polarisation? Or do we stand strong against the tide of cynicism?

In an open exhibition without any imposed thesis, ‘Radically Naive / Naively Radical’ seeks to positively re-evaluate the notion of naivety: doing over analysing, making over designing. It is a search for institutional meaning, for the (im)material character of art, for cultural uniqueness and artistic autonomy.

‘Radically Naive / Naively Radical’ marks the start of Kunsthal Extra City’s tenure at its new location, the former Dominican Church and Chapel. A place whose context is all-encompassing, where meaning lingers around even before a single artwork is added. The Kunsthal invites artists to occupy this space. Consciously they situate themselves in a post(?)-religious, post(?)-colonial, post(?)-feminist and post(?)-materialistic world.

Your visit during COVID-19
To ensure everyone a pleasant and safe visit, during the COVID-19 pandemic we are limiting the number of visitors to our exhibition spaces. For this reason we ask that you reserve a timeslot beforehand. You can pick up your ticket when you arrive and pay at the reception desk.

Location Kunsthal Extra City - Church, Provinciestraat 112, 2018 Antwerpen