The story is so vast that it requires three venues to fully unfold. This spring, visitors are invited to hop on a bus or train to explore the work of pioneer Magdalena Abakanowicz (1930-2017). The Polish artist’s work is at the heart of the ‘Groots in Brabant’ programme, which will take place at three venues: the TextielMuseum, Het Noordbrabants Museum and the Provinciehuis Noord-Brabant. Abakanowicz began to depict humanity and nature in a completely new way – as one. So you may find yourself empathizing with the pain of a tree trunk or recognizing the grandeur of small fibres.
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This press release focuses on the exhibition at Het Noordbrabants Museum, which highlights Abakanowicz’s view of and response to global developments and the relationship between humanity and nature. The TextielMuseum, in turn, focuses on the importance of her work in the evolution of textiles – from applied art to autonomous art – and on her creative process.
Magdalena Abakanowicz, Abakan Red, 1969. Tate, presented anonymously 2009 © The Marta Magdalena Abakanowicz Kosmowska and Jan Kosmowski Foundation, Warsaw. Foto © Tate
Human Nature
At the heart of the Human Nature exhibition at Het Noordbrabants Museum is Abakanowicz’s quest to express the complexity of human emotions in her art. She started out using fibrous materials such as rope, sisal and horsehair, and later added wood, bronze, paper, film and clay. Abakanowicz believed that art is not only about experiencing beauty, but is also a source of new thoughts about oneself. She transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary, constantly pushing the boundaries of perception. Her work invites us to discover the connections between material, meaning and space. Abakanowicz encourages us to reflect on humanity’s relationship with the environment.
Contemporary Counterparts
Abakanowicz’s large works, like her iconic Abakans, require us to look at art in a new way. Suspended in space, they invite us to move around them and explore their details. That Magdalena Abakanowicz was way ahead of her time is evident in the work of several contemporary ‘Counterparts’. Displayed alongside hers are pieces by artists such as Anish Kapoor, Marlene Dumas and Kimsooja. The inspired pairings allow for a present-day perspective on themes such as identity, healing and ecology, as well as showing the contemporary pieces in a different light. The exhibition includes works from the collections of Tate in London and the MoMA in New York and a recently restored piece from the collection of the Frans Hals Museum.
Kimsooja, Bottari, 2018-2022. Used Korean bedcovers, used clothing. Kimsooja and Axel Vervoordt Gallery. Photo Jan Liégeois
New Works
Human Nature is more than just a display of existing art. The exhibition includes several audio experiences designed to deepen visitors’ connection with Abakanowicz. A newly produced film created by Kristina Benjocki and Stijn Verhoeff, will offer new insights into the artist’s life and legacy. In addition, German choreographer Nicole Beutler will present a special performance at the Theaterfestival Boulevard, focusing on Abakanowicz’s work in relation to ecological developments in the world.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of activities, including a Museum Night, various lectures in collaboration with the Polish community in Brabant, newcomers to ’s-Hertogenbosch and Brabant youth, and an international symposium. Visitors can book various guided tours and there will be several (children’s) workshops in the spring. For more information, please visit grootsinbrabant.nl.
Abakanowicz’s largest piece, Bois le Duc (1970-1971), which can be seen in the Provinciehuis Noord-Brabant, serves as the starting point for both exhibitions. With this triptych, this work rightly earns itself a place in Brabant’s collective memory.
Magdalena Abakanowicz, Anasta, 1989. Het Noordbrabants Museum, acquisition made possible with a grant from the Abakanowicz Arts and Culture Charitable Foundation. © The Marta Magdalena Abakanowicz Kosmowska and Jan Kosmowski Foundation, Warsaw. Photo courtesy Marlborough Galleries London and New York.
Acknowledgments
The program of exhibitions and activities is generously supported by Abakanowicz Arts and Culture Charitable Foundation, Adam Mickiewicz Institute, Arriva, ASML x Brabant C, Blockbusterfonds, CANPACK, Central Museum of Textiles Lodz, Cultuurfonds/Barbas-van der Klauw Fonds, Embassy of the Polish Republic, Gemeente ’s-Hertogenbosch, Gemeente Tilburg, Mondriaan Fonds, Provincie Noord-Brabant, The Marta Magdalena Abakanowicz-Kosmowska and Jan Kosmowski Foundation, and VriendenLoterij.
About Het Noordbrabants Museum
At Het Noordbrabants Museum, we strive to create moments of happiness for our visitors. We are as committed to presenting contemporary talent as we are to presenting their predecessors, such as Van Gogh and Hieronymus Bosch. Our exhibitions sometimes take you by surprise, other times they fascinate you, and sometimes you start to see things differently. Art and history ignite excitement, foster dialogue and offer new insights, sometimes even provoking heated discussions. We don’t just present art; we invite you to share your reflections and interpretations.
