North Sea JAZZ FESTIVAL / 07-09 July 2023
EXHIBITION STATEMENT
The Millen House is excited to announce its participation in the prestigious North Sea Jazz Festival, where it will showcase a captivating combination of post-war art and contemporary design. The exhibition, titled ``The Art of Making,`` will feature a curated selection of artworks and design in a variety of mediums such as paper, paint, clay, burnt wood and textile, that highlight the physical act of the artists’ creative process.
THE BODY AS A TOOL
The centrepiece of the show is an American Action Painting from 1956. This piece reminiscent of the works by Jackson Pollock (1912-1956), with its layered variety of unconventional materials and expressive paint gestures, thrown onto the canvas and crackling surface, makes the act of making tangible. The body as a tool continues in the showcased post-war art pieces by renowned performance artist Marina Abrahamovic, the gestural brushstrokes of Ernst Vijlbrief and the interactive light artwork by Paul Talman, placed next to the sculptures by CobrA-artist Henry Heerup and cubist artist Herbert Strasser. Special attention goes to an installation of meticulously hand-drawn lines created over months, by Belgium artist Mart De Houwer (1931-1991), creating art in a deeply contemplative and private manner.
Cutting edge contemporary design
In addition to the post-war art selection, The Millen House will bring contemporary designs that push the boundaries of craftsmanship. The innovative designs of Sjang Niederwieser, whose Volare lamp, executed in purple-heart wood with shades of 3D knitted silk harmoniously blends new technology and hand craftsmanship. Sandra Keja Planken, whose work is currently on show at the Textiel Museum Tilburg, made a new textile work especially for this show with leftover materials. Her way of working, combining traditional techniques of tufting and passementerie, along side her signature idiosyncratic use of colour, engages viewers with its storytelling qualities.</p> <p>The act of making is further evident in the newest collection of handmade ceramic pieces by Rutger de Regt. Showcasing the experimental artistry and tactile beauty of his Mommy I Made An Ashtray Series, the artist’s fingerprints are embedded into the clay, a physical reminder of the artist at work.</p> <p>All the items are for sale.
“The Art of Making” is an invitation to explore the profound connection between creativity, craftsmanship, and the human experience. By placing these exceptional artworks and designs in the same spatial context, unexpected dialogues emerge, inviting you to reflect on the crossovers between art and design.
Discover the narratives behind each creation and explore a dialogue between tradition and innovation.
For more information about The Millen House and its participation in the North Sea Jazz Festival, please send us an e-mail: hello@themillenhouse.com
Henry Heerup
THE ART OF MAKING
Henry Heerup CARVES a work.
MARINA ABRAMOVIC
THE ART OF MAKING
Marina Abramovic PERFORMANCS at MOMA New York.
New York SCHOOL
THE ART OF MAKING
Jackson Pollock TROWS paint on a canvas.
MART DE HOUWER
THE ART OF MAKING
Mart de Houwer DRAWS endlessly lines on paper. Yayoi Kusama is obsessed with polka dots.
Sjang Niederwieser
THE ART OF MAKING
VOLARE is made from purpleheart, 3-d knitted silk and copper. Sjang Niederweiser ASSEMBLES a lamp.
Maarten Baas
THE ART OF MAKING
Maarten Baas BURNS the wooden surface of an existing chair.
Sandra Keja Planken
THE ART OF MAKING
Sandra Keja Planken TUFTS a piece from left-over textile yarns.
Herbert Straesser
THE ART OF MAKING
Herbert Straesser SCULPTS a large sculpture from abstract shapes.
Ernst Vijlbrief
THE ART OF MAKING
Ernst Vijlbrief PAINTS with gestural brushstrokes, like CoBrA artist Karel Appel.
Paul Talman
THE ART OF MAKING
Paul Talman invites the audience to INTERACT with the piece, changing the final composition.
Rutger de REGT
THE ART OF MAKING
Using a mold and his fingers Rutger de Regt CLAYS the planters, tables and objects.
Sandra Keja Planken
THE ART OF MAKING
In collaboration with a master, Sandra Keja Planken BLOWS glass into shape.