Walking in many different directions. 701 e.V. zu Gast im KIT — Kunst im Tunnel

A.F. Vandevorst, Louise Amstrup, Alexandra Bircken, c.neeon, Matali Crasset: Bernhard Willhelm, Kris Van Assche, Bruno Pieters, Hermès kuratiert von Andreas Hoyer & Andy Scherpereel (Heimat), Thea Djordjadze, Thea Gvetadze, Michael Hofstetter, Julia Kröpelin, Mike Meiré, Mode Depesche, Niklas Nitschke, Pelican Video, Gregor Russ, Paloma Varga Weisz

The exhibition is curated by Gabriele Orsech, who has long been director of AMD Düsseldorf, and Bernd Ruzicska from the RUZICSKA///WEISS gallery, also in Düsseldorf.

701 e.V., a charitable initiative set up by some of the leading lights of Düsseldorf’s art, culture, business and political scenes, aims to foster young artistic talent in Düsseldorf by supporting their unconventional projects in different locations. The new exhibition sponsored by 701 e.V., “Walking in many different directions”, will be on display at KIT – Kunst im Tunnel from 9 November 2008 to 4 January 2009.

“Walking in many different directions” demonstrates how art, fashion and design interact with and influence one another. These days, many designers and artists no longer distinguish between the disciplines. The exhibition is thus dedicated to this new openness and to the effect it has on viewers and consumers.

The sculptures, photographs and videos, and the special exhibition architecture designed by Gregor Russ confront viewers with questions such as: How do the work processes, intentions and ideas of artists and designers differ from one another?; Do they really differ at all?; If so, how do these differences affect how art, design and fashion are received? “Walking in many different directions” offers answers to these questions and presents viewers with space for developing their creativity or taking action of their own. In these rooms, everyday images and fantasies combine to create a single vision.

The curators were able to attract both established and up-and-coming artists active in various areas for the exhibition. They include A.F. Vandevorst, Bernhard Willhelm and Carolin Lerch (Pelican Video), all graduates of the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts, as well as Kris Van Assche and Bruno Pieters, creative directors at Dior and Hugo Boss respectively. Alexandra Bircken will be showing pieces that translate the language of fashion into fragile, often bizarre artworks, while Mike Meiré and Matali Crasset will be presenting their characteristic interdisciplinary pieces.