Marking the fifteenth anniversary of Mudam Luxembourg, Freigeister. Fragments of an art scene in Luxembourg and beyond presents the work of fourteen artists from Luxembourg and of different generations. A diverse selection of works across the mediums of photography, painting, installation, film, sculpture, printmaking and performance art presents a thoughtful and engaged picture of contemporary society.
Many artists who originate from or live and work in Luxembourg remain closely connected to another country. In a country where border crossings are part of a daily routine, this diversity and openness is a valued part of the local culture. The contemporary art scene in Luxembourg has shown itself to be conscious of the challenges associated with transforming a small but economically successful country that is seeking to reconcile its identity and future.
Freigeister takes its title from a concept defined by the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (b. Röcken, 1844; d. Weimar, 1900), who described der Freigeist as: “a free spirit who thinks differently from what, on the basis of his origin, environment, his class and his profession, or on the basis of the dominant views of the age, would have been expected of him.” (Human, All Too Human: A Book for Free Spirits, 1878). According to Nietzsche, one must become “untimely” and remain “a stranger” to one’s time, in order to question it. The exhibition takes this condition of estrangement as a starting point to draw connections between an otherwise varied set of artistic approaches and concerns. Conceived as a platform for exchange between artists, curators and other specialists, the exhibition is developed through a programme of encounters and discussion-based events that will reflect this interdisciplinary, discursive process. It includes a special project developped by the artist Daniel Wagener with Mudam Publics.
Freigeister follows Mudam’s programme of exhibitions dedicated to the work of contemporary artists from Luxembourg. They include ELO: Inner Exile – Outer Limits (2008), Atelier Luxembourg – The Venice Biennale Projects (1988–2011) (2012), and the recent retrospectives devoted to Su-Mei Tse (2017), Bert Theis (2019) and Jean-Marie Biwer (2020).
Freigeister will be accompanied by a catalogue presenting the work of the artists in the exhibition and reflecting the lines of research and exchange that accompanied its preparation.
Artists
Yann Annicchiarico, Laurianne Bixhain, Aline Bouvy, Marco Godinho, Sophie Jung, Catherine Lorent, Filip Markiewicz, Karolina Markiewicz & Pascal Piron, Claudia Passeri, Daniel Reuter, Nina Tomàs, Daniel Wagener, Jeff Weber
Curators Clément Minighetti, Sarah Beaumont, Marie-Noëlle Farcy, Christophe Gallois
More informations on www.mudam.com
Mudam Luxembourg Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean 3, Park Dräi Eechelen L-1499 Luxembourg-Kirchberg T. +352 453785–1 info@mudam.com
Filip Markiewicz Euro Hamlet, 2019 Oil on linen, 210 x 180 cm Courtesy of the artist and AEROPLASTICS, Brussels © Filip Markiewicz
