Update – Coronavirus
We are so sorry to report that the opening party and subsequent exhibition have been canceled due to Amsterdam’s lockdown on coronavirus. However, an artist has been commissioned to document the exhibition and artworks — given that they were all fully installed the day of the exhibition opening party — so we’ll post a link here when that happens. Our condolences to all the artists, the organizers, and our hosts Arti et Amicitiae.
Art exhibition: Awkward (Ongemakkelijk)
We’re proud to have Adorn featured in this highly unusual art exhibition celebrating the beauty, pain, and value of “the moment between knowing and not knowing.” As the artists organizing the exhibition wisely put it:
In a time when perfection is the norm and we are responsible for our own success, the issue of discomfort is more relevant than ever. While society often shuns discomfort, many artists embrace it: the moment between knowing and not knowing leaves room for being human.
Grand Opening party
The opening party, with free admission, will be 20.00 on Friday March 13, 2020, and the exhibition will be “live” every day through April 11.
It takes place at Arti et Amicitiae, the Society For Visual Artists, in the heart of Amsterdam.
Events are in both Dutch and English. The exhibition is accessible for English speakers.
Grand Opening special events
Besides the exhibition itself, the March 13 party will include:
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- Opening performance by Takeshi Ikeda
- A swan will be served by Keuken van het Ongewenst Dier (Kitchen of the Unwanted Animal)
- Music by DJ Awanto 3 alias Steven de Peven
Adorn at the Grand Opening
Our award-winning erotic game film, Adorn, will be featured at the exhibition in a bed-like viewing space!
Throughout both the Grand Opening and the ongoing exhibition, Adorn will play on a loop with a schedule posted, so that you can watch when you like or choose to start from the beginning if you wish.
Why are we celebrating Adorn as Awkward?
Jennifer created the erotic game of Adorn, which the performers play in a spontaneous and improvised way during the shoot, specifically to disrupt the “typical” order of male-female sexual expression in a sexual experience. Adorn’s game had one rule: “You may only touch the other person over or under clothing that you put on them.” Jennifer hoped that this would create a situation where the performers had to deeply listen to each other, and trust each other, in order to make it fun for each other. She knew that it would be awkward at the start; how could it not be, with no real blueprint for how to proceed in such an odd situation? But Jennifer believes that part of what makes sex exciting is the uncertainty of knowing what exactly will happen next, and this beautiful awkwardness, when embraced by enthusiastic willing participants, leads to a connection and “flow” unparalleled by any smooth, seamless, glamorous sexual interaction. Awkward is beautiful.
Trailer:
Time & Place
Opening party: 20.00 on Friday March 13, 2020
Exhibition: March 13- April 11, 2020, Tuesdays through Sundays 12:00 – 18:00
Location: Arti et Amicitiae, Rokin 112, 1012 LB Amsterdam
Website: Arti et Amicitiae
Facebook Event: Awkward/Ongemakkelijk opening party
More info: +31 (0)20-6245134, arti@arti.nl
Artists in the Awkward exhibition
Necim Abiadh
Aukje Dekker
Marc van Dijk
Hans Eijkelboom
Maurice van Es
Bart Eysink Smeets
Marieke Gelissen
Takeshi Ikeda
Pieter Kusters
Jennifer Lyon Bell
Hans van der Meer
Claudia Mulder
Pilvi Takala
Kuang-Yu Tsui
Robbert Weide
Sylvie Zijlmans en Hewald Jongenelis
Ongoing Awkward exhibition additional special events
But wait, there’s more! Throughout the run of the exhibition, more artists/writers are offering events:
An Uncomfortable Dinner: A four-course meal will be served at Hotel Buiten at Sloterplas. The menu includes Schiphol goose, horse, Japanese oysters and crayfish. Accompanied by poetry, artist talks and a visit from a bona-fide hunter. Language: Dutch (English on request). Thursday, March 19, 2020, 19.00
An Evening of Discomfort and Shame with Arnon Grunberg and &Tijs Goldschmidt . Writers Arnon Grunberg and Tijs Goldschmidt share their observations on discomfort and shame. Language: Dutch. Friday April 3, 20.30
Art & Discomfort: Inspired by the exhibition, online art magazine Mister Motley will publish a series of articles on art and discomfort. A new article can be found every week at mistermotley.nl starting on Thursday, March 5. Language: Dutch.
Coaching Against Discomfort: Coach Danielle Meesters will be present to help you deal with discomfort and awkwardness. 45 minute sessions, by appointment.
Thanks to the organizers & sponsors of Awkward
“Awkward” is a project organised by visual artists Claudia Mulder, Robbert Weide and Marieke Gelissen. This exhibition is sponsored by the Amsterdam Fund For The Arts and Tashin Bank Foundation for Art and Culture.
Can’t make it but want to see Adorn?
Watch Adorn in full in the privacy of your own home: Streaming, download, or in a Multipack with our other streaming and dowloadable movie!