It has finally happened, exhibiting in Kernhem in Ede from 8 to 23 October 2022. With all the trimmings a speech by Ruud Lans, snacks and drinks and people. People without mouth caps who could walk around freely unhindered by duck tape on the floor or red and white tape on poles. In short, a real vernissage. There was a lot going on before 2020 and 2021, covid threw a big spanner in the works for me, not to mention for both young and old who both gave up a lot, young people a piece of the future and many older people a piece of enjoying ageing, family, etc. It may sound strange to me, but it also had its positive side in the sense of time to think. To think about the composition and layout of the exhibition in Kernhem. And also what is after Kernhem..........
There is a big difference between what I intended in 2020 and what it has now become in 2022. I myself can say that the whole thing has become more beautiful and thoughtful. Also, now that it is all hanging, the doubts and uncertainty have largely disappeared as far as this exhibition is concerned.
The journey has come to an end, at least for now.
It only remains for me to thank the people around me, starting with my wife of course, for her patience and the mess I caused in the house with photos everywhere, which after a while got in the way. And then Vincent Aartsen for his help with transport, setting up and taking photos and an MP4 (to be placed) and Kees for photos and MP4 of the opening. Ruud Lans for the opening and not forgetting Anita, Hetty, Joke and Ria for preparing the snacks and drinks. And all completely selflessly, for which my thanks once again.
From photo page 6 you can find the photos of Kernhem 2022. Pages 1 to 5 show the preparations from 2020 onwards.
Albert, Duiven 15 October 2022
The following was written by me and I will leave it at that. Why? Because I still believe that an exhibition of work that you have made cannot and should not be restricted by measures taken by third parties. To me, exhibiting is a part of freedom of speech in words and in writing, enshrined in the Constitution. So why do I want to exhibit? Have you ever visited Kernhem House? I love the place......! And October 2022 is still far away. I hope to get the chance to enjoy my exhibition in Kernhem in 2022. Because it will be enjoyable for me to be the only one to walk through my exhibition from room 1 to 3 and if I want to from 3 to 1. The measures such as Duck tape on the floor, compulsory mouth caps and 1,5 m distance? Oh well, that's fine with me after I've enjoyed my exhibition and enjoyment is what it's all about for me........
Albert van 't Slot 3 februari 2022
For me, an opening is not a mouth mask, duck tape on the floor, keeping a 1.5 m distance, no speech, viewing art only from a to b and not from b to a. and no food and drink. I understand it all and it's necessary but I can't and won't exhibit this way....
Why.....?
Because to me an exhibition is: Opening, being together (of as many people as possible), a speech, a bite to eat and a drink and maybe some music, live or otherwise. And not entirely unimportant, exhibiting costs money and at that moment as an exhibitor you want to get the most out of it, not that I think I can earn back the investment. That's not going to happen and that's not what it's about for me.
Also, putting together and setting up an exhibition requires a lot of work from the exhibitor, but also from the people around him (mostly selfless volunteers).
An exhibition is also (at least for me) a personal thing, you express a piece of your personal feelings. And believe me, that is not easy, it is accompanied by doubt and uncertainty. And yes, I look at my photos with different eyes than a random visitor, I have different thoughts and feelings about them.
It is always nice when you haven't been there for a day and then you come in and you get a slight tingling in you and think, this is what I have been striving for. And well, the doubt always remains. At the next exhibition, this process starts all over again, including doubt and uncertainty......
Everything was ready, the poster I designed, prints were made ready to send out, and the speech was prepared (not by me, of course). Only the "Grande Finale" did not take place. So I hope to get a chance to enjoy my exhibition in Kernhem in 2021 or 2022. Because I will enjoy being the only one to walk through my exhibition from room 1 to 3 and if I want to from 3 to 1 without Duck Tape on the floor, compulsory mouth masks and a distance of 1.5 m. I can think this is beautiful and that is what I want.
And to think this is beautiful and no one will take that away from me again...... Hope to see you in Kernhem.
Oh yes, think about making some changes....... The doubt again......
Albert van 't Slot Duiven 14 January 2022
Albert van 't Slot Kernhem Ede (netherlands) Poster-design Albert van 't Slot
