Dear Shaded Viewers,
I just came back from the opening of the Walter Van Beirendonck retrospective at the MoMu which covers 30 years of his creative life. There is even a piece from Walter's graduation collection dating back to 1980. Even though the looks span three decades somehow it is so coherant that it looks like it could all belong to one enormous collection. On the walls you will find Walter's inspirations, the artists that impacted his life and his creations. My absolute favorite part of the exhibition is the Nick Knight film styled by Simon Foxton, it is a killer. Simon looked through decades of Walter's work mixed them all up and presented it a multitude of varied guys in the most modern and energetic way. I would have enjoyed sitting in on the casting. I could have stood in front of the screen for hours but of course there was a lot more to see and experience.
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The walls, like giant mood boards, were wicked too and the artists that have had a major impact on Walter's life lent major art pieces like Paul McCarthy, the Chapman Brothers, there were photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe that had the power of a lightening bolt when Walter first saw them.
RObert Mapplethorpe
The walls morphed into the most amazing mood boards.
David Bowie changed his life.
The dolls were in constant movement
I loved the filmed interview with Tim Blanks and Walter in a room that duplicated Walter's atelier.
Paul McCarthy, I love this one it gives new meaning to the expression a 'dick head'.
Mr. Pearl made a corset for Walter.
The exhibition is up until 19/02/12, well worth a trip to Antwerp.
Later,
Diane
