Geert GOIRIS Whiteout 2008-2009
introduction Geert Goiris compares photography to the tightrope walker s experience, oscillating between the improvisation, the self-control and the submission to a singular context. Thus, this contributes to maintain the final photographic result in an unpredictable state. Goiris s talent lies on his ability to capture situations and accidents that destabilize the viewer, including a pleasant perplexity. The artist is interested in Wilderness as a cultural idea. He collects images of remote places and situations where former certainties are abandoned and become substituted with something new: the wild and unknown. In most of his photographs, he tries to find moments where fact and fiction fuse into a hybrid and unstable form - a sort of micro-mystery. Thanks to a near-perfect knowledge of the photographic medium, Goiris is able to concretize his vision with an exasperated realism, often clinical but never cold. His coloured photographs are straightforward and digitally unmanipulated but strange. For almost ten years, the Belgian artist has been exploring the limits of our understanding through dimensionless landscapes or locations without discernable geographical identities. His installation «Whiteout», which won the Bâloise Art Prize at Art Basel 40 in 2009, presents a collection of images taken within the last two years, throughout his explorations in the Antarctic. Those photographs will be exhibited in the form of a high resolution slide projection. The large analogue slides are projected by a Götschmann 6 x 7, High End Projector. The visibility of this mechanical projector, charged with middleformat slides is an important element in the installation. The immateriality of those photographs highlights the ephemeral nature of the image as well as its inherently nomadic quality. The formal climax of the project is the point of whiteout*. Literally the blank wall: the ultimate degree of minimalism and abstraction. Ice and snow become a metaphor for timelessness. * Whiteout: a dangerous meteorological phenomenon caused by high concentration of ice crystals in the sky, resulting in zero visibility, in bright white light.
Whiteout 2008-2009 installation: projection/ slide show of 30 ektas, (6x7 cm slides, projector: Götschmann) dimensions variables edition of 5 +1 ea
Whiteout, 2008-2009, installation: projection/ slide show of 30 ektas, (6x7 cm slides, projector: Götschmann), dimensions variables, edition of 5 +1 A.P
Whiteout, 2008-2009, installation: projection/ slide show of 30 ektas, (6x7 cm slides, projector: Götschmann), dimensions variables, edition of 5 +1 A.P
single photographs
Whiteout 1, 2008-2009, tirage lambda, 50 x 60 cm, edition de 5 + 1 E. A Whiteout 1, 2008-2009, lambda print, 11 x 16 in, edition of 5 + 1 A. P
Whiteout 2, 2008-2009, tirage lambda, 50 x 60 cm, edition de 5 + 1 E. A Whiteout 2, 2008-2009, lambda print, 11 x 16 in, edition of 5 + 1 A. P
Whiteout 3, 2008-2009, tirage lambda, 50 x 60 cm, edition de 5 + 1 E. A Whiteout 3, 2008-2009, lambda print, 11 x 16 in, edition of 5 + 1 A. P
diptych
Whiteout 5, 2008-2009, tirage lambda, diptyque, 50 x 60 cm chaque, edition de 5 + 1 E. A Whiteout 5, 2008-2009, lambda print, diptych, 11 x 16 in each, edition of 5 + 1 A. P
Whiteout 5 (detail), 2008-2009, tirage lambda, diptyque, 50 x 60 cm chaque, edition de 5 + 1 E. A Whiteout 5 (detail), 2008-2009, lambda print, diptych, 11 x 16 in each, edition of 5 + 1 A. P
Whiteout 5 (detail), 2008-2009, tirage lambda, diptyque, 50 x 60 cm chaque, edition de 5 + 1 E. A Whiteout 5 (detail), 2008-2009, lambda print, diptych, 11 x 16 in each, edition of 5 + 1 A. P
triptych
Whiteout 4 (Crown Bay), 2008-2009, tirage lambda, triptych, 50 x 60 cm chaque, edition de 5 + 1 E. A Whiteout 4 (Crown Bay), 2008-2009, lambda print, triptych, 11 x 16 in each, edition of 5 + 1 A. P
Whiteout 4 (Crown Bay), 2008-2009, tirage lambda, triptych, 50 x 60 cm chaque, edition de 5 + 1 E. A Whiteout 4 (Crown Bay), 2008-2009, lambda print, triptych, 11 x 16 in each, edition of 5 + 1 A. P
Whiteout 4 (Crown Bay), 2008-2009, tirage lambda, triptych, 50 x 60 cm chaque, edition de 5 + 1 E. A Whiteout 4 (Crown Bay), 2008-2009, lambda print, triptych, 11 x 16 in each, edition of 5 + 1 A. P
Whiteout 4 (Crown Bay), 2008-2009, tirage lambda, triptych, 50 x 60 cm chaque, edition de 5 + 1 E. A Whiteout 4 (Crown Bay), 2008-2009, lambda print, triptych, 11 x 16 in each, edition of 5 + 1 A. P
biography
Geert GOIRIS Né en/born in 1971 à/in Bornem, Belgium Vit et travaille/lives and works in Anvers Prix/ Awards: 2009 Bâloise Art Prize (Art Statements/ Art Basel 40), Basel, Suisse 2008 Grand prix de photographie de Vevey, Suisse Expositions Personnelles/Solo Exhibitions 2010 CAB, Burgos, Espagne duo-exhibition with Vincent Lamouroux, Kask, Gent, Belgique 2009 Crédac, Ivry-sur-Seine (09.09-08.11) Whiteout #02, Statement, Art 40, Bâle/ Basel 2008 Whiteout #01, présentation du 1er volet Antarctique, Images 08, Grand prix de photographie de Vevey, Suisse 2007 Frontier, Galerie Catherine Bastide, Bruxelles, Belgique 2006 Le Grand Café, Centre d art contemporain Saint Nazaire 2005 LFL Gallery, New York, USA 2004 Art : Concept, Paris The world as we know it, (with Ville Lenkkeri), Prospekto gallery, Vilnius, Lituanie Recent Views, Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs, Gordes 2003 Lost in Space, Roger Vandaele Editie, Anvers, Belgique Standing on Ice, Karavanserai Museum, Tbilisi, Géorgie 2002 Possibilities, Netwerk Galerij, Aalst, Belgique Frequentie, with Kenny Mc. Leod, Lokaal 01, Anvers, Belgique 2001 Van Wijngaarden Galerie, Amsterdam, Pays-Bas Surrounded, Galerie Václavy Spály, Prague, Tchéquie Kontor in Der Schneiderei, Cologne, Allemagne 2000 Reconstruction, Museum for Photography, Anvers, Belgique
Expositions Collectives/Group Exhibitions 2009 Double happiness, Bozar, Brussels, and NAMOC, Pékin, Chine Le Travail de Rivière, Credac, Ivry-sur-Seine, curator: Claire Le Restif Beyond The Picturesque, S.M.A.K, Gent, Belgique (curators: Frank Maes and Steven Jacobs) 2008 A Meeting Between the Tragic and the Funny, HessenHuis, Anvers, Belgique un-scene, Wiels Contemporary Art Centre, Bruxelles, Belgique (curator : Dirk Snauwaert, Charles Gohy, Devrim Bayar) PhotoEspana - Lugares Comprometidos : Topografia y Actualidad (Inflected Places. Topography and Actuality), Museo Colecciones ICO, Madrid, Espagne (curator : Sergio Mah) The Unwanted Self: Contemporary Photography from the Low Countries, University of Brighton Gallery, Royaume-Unis (curators : Frits Gierstberg, Jan Baetens, Christoph Ruys) Photography & Architecture, Mitterrand + Cramer, Genève, Suisse 2007 Looking for the Border, Cultuurcentrum De Garage, Mechelen, Belgique, Cultuurcentrum Strombeek, Belgique, Fondazione Stelline, Milan, Italie (curators : Luk Lambrecht and Koen Leemans) stand Art : Concept, FIAC, Paris Kiosk, Gent, Belgique (organised by Royal Academy for Fine Arts - KASK) (curator : Wim Waelput) FLASH CUBE, Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, Séoul, Corée (curator : Henk Slager) Paulo Post Futurum, Breda s Museum, Breda, Pays-Bas Private/public, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, Pays-Bas The leading Thread, Centro de Arte Caja de Burgos, Espagne The Moss gathering Tumbleweed experience, NICC, Antwerpen, Belgique (curator : Hans Theys) Spectacular City - Photographing the Future, NRW-Forum Kultur und Wirtschaft, Düsseldorf, Allemagne Proposals for art integration project, Netwerk / center for contemporary art, Aalst, Belgique 2006 Spectacular City - Photographing the Future, Netherlands Architecture Institute, Rotterdam, Pays-Bas Tunnel Vision, Musée de la Photographie Province d Anvers, Belgique Les rencontres d Arles Photographie, Arles Freestate, Ostend, Belgique Galerie Edward Mitterrand, Genève, Suisse Right on Write Off, Chapman Fine ARTS, Londres, Grande-Bretagne) (curators : Irene Bradbury, J.J Charlesworth, Mustafa Hulusi & Soraya Rodriguez) Leere x Vision : Connexions, Marta, Herford, Allemagne Traces, Biennale #1, photographie et architecture, Epace Architecture La Cambre, Bruxelles, Belgique Buenos dias Santiago - an exhibition as an expedition, Museum of contemporary Art in Santiago de Chile, Chilie (curator : Attitudes extra muros) 2005 Croiser des mondes, Jeu de Paume, Paris Belgian photographers 1840-2005, FotoMuseum, Anvers, Belgique Kunst in Verbund, Ludwighafen, Allemagne 2004 A temporary monument for David Mc Comb, STUK, Leuven, Belgique Undercurrent, Platform Garanti Contemporary Art Center, Istanbul, Turquie Manifesta 5, European Biennial for Contemporary Art, San Sebastian, Espagne 2003 At least begin to make an end, W 139, Amsterdam, Pays-Bas Kaap Helder, Den Helder, Pays-Bas Prix Jeune Peinture Belge / Prijs Jonge Belgische Schilderkunst, Paleis voor schone Kunsten, Bruxelles, Belgique Happiness Land, Balabanov house, Plovdiv, Bulgarie Contemporary photography from Flanders, Karavanserai Museum, Tbilisi, Géorgie 2002 Overgangslocaties, Sint- Lukasgalerij, Bruxelles, Belgique Paramount Basics, Richard Venlet, Museum for Contemporary Art, Anvers, Belgique
2000 introduction a une philosophie du presque, De ladder van Pontormo, Gand, Belgique Short-circuits,contemporary photography from Flanders, Tallinn, Estonie We re always on the edge of wilderness, W 139, Amsterdam, Pays-Bas goeurope, the kaleidoscopic eye, Museum für Photographie, Braunschweig, Allemagne Ici et Maintenant, Tours et taxis, Bruxelles, Belgique 1999 Geert Goiris/Steve Van Den Bosch, ruimte IN/OUT, Anvers, Belgique Foolish, a selection contemporary artists from Flanders, Bologne, Italie 1998 spring 98 young talent in Antwerp, Anvers, Belgique The Flemish Landscape, Berchem Belgique Sequentie, Museum Van Humbeek-Piron, Leuven, Belgique Kunst Aanmoedigingsprijs, Amstelveen, Pays-Bas Bibliographie/Bibliography Articles/Press Mireille Descombes «Geert Goiris: arpenteur d infinis» in Passions, 4 septèmbre 2008, pp.94-97. Alexandre LAUMONIER, «Spectacular city», in Art press, n 332, mars 2007, pg 75-76. Daan RAU, «Lange tijd voor verstilling», in Okv, n 5, 2006, pg 2-7. Portfolio, Geert Goiris, page 28 à 35, in Prefix Photo, Volume 6 Number 2, 2006. «La réalité spatio temporelle mise à mal au Grand Café» in archistorm, n 21, septembre-octobre 2006, p.28. Claire Moulène, «Les lois de la gravité» in Les Inrockuptibles, n 556, 25 juillet 2006, p.76-77. Emily HALL, «Geert Goiris», in Artforum International, november 2005, pg 255 BAKER, «Short List : Geert Goiris», in The Village Voice, 10-16 août 2005. p. 44-45. «Geert Goiris», in The New Yorker, 8 & 15 août 2005. p. 20. Ken JOHNSON, «Geert Goiris», in The New York Times, 5 août 2005. Featured artwork, in Time Out New York, 21-27 juillet 2005. Daniele BALICE, «Geert Goiris», in Flash Art, n 241, mars-avril 2005. p. 121. Emmanuelle LEQUEUX, «Une foire supermarché», in Beaux Arts magazine, n 249, mars 2005. p. 140. Dominique BAQUÉ, «concepts à l oeuvre», in Art Press, n 310, mars 2005. p. 90. Emmanuelle LEQUEUX, «Geert Goiris : ceci n est pas un rhinocéros», in Aden, 24 novembre 2004. Carine CLAEREN, «Fenêtre sur cour», in NOVA, n 119, pg. 10-11. Publications / catalogues collectifs : Frank Maes et Steven Jacobs, Beyond the Picturesque, catalogue d exposition, édition du S.M.A.K, Gent, Belgique, 2009 Francis Smets, «Geert Goiris», in Un-Scene, Wiels Contemporary Art Centre, Brussels, 2008, pp. 48-51 Bram Van Damme «The flash that saves» in Annual 2007, NETWORK/Center For Contemporary Art, p.190. PhotoEspana2008 - Lugares Comprometidos : Topografia y Actualidad (Compromised places : topography and actuality), catalogue de l expositon, ed. La Fabrica et Fundacion ICO, 2008, pp.22-35. The Unwanted Self: Contemporary Photography from the Low Countries, catalogue de l exposition, University of Brighton Gallery, 2008, couverture & p. 70-71. El Hilo Conductor, Caja de Burgos, 2007, pg. 26 à 33. Brian SHOLIS, «Geert Goiris» in Vitamin PH-New Perspectives in Photography, London : Phaidon, 2006, pg. 108 à 111. Spectacular City - Photographing the future, Rotterdam : Netherlands Architecture Institute Publishers, 2006, pg. 76 à 78. Geert Goiris, texte écrit par, Les Rencontres d Arles 2006, Arles : Actes Sud, pg. 488 à 493. entretien réalisé par Régis DURAND, «Geert Goiris», in Croiser des mondes, catalogue de l exposition au Jeu de Paume, 2005, page 20 à 30. Belgische Fotografen 1840-2005, Fotomuseum Provincie Antwerpen, 2005, pages 128-129. Hiawata nr. 1 (catalogue Temporary Residence), 2004 With all due intent, catalogue Manifesta 5, 2004, pp.156-157. Dirk LAUWAERT, in catalogue PROVINCIALE PRIJS BEELDENDE KUNST, 2003, pg. 12 à 38. HAPPINESS LAND (artist book by Bert Dankaert, Peter Boelens, Karin Hanssen, Marc Steculorum and Geert Goiris), publié à l occasion de «International Meetingsof Photography» à Plovdiv en Bulgarie, Project & Project, 2003 OORSPRONG: portaits of Flemish artists, De Brakke Grond, Amsterdam, 2003 catalogue JEUNE PEINTURE/JONGE BELGISCHE SCHILDERKUNST, 2003 LOST IN SPACE, artist book 365 copies, 2003 Bert DANCKAERT, «An assault on reality» in Handleiding 001-02, Aalst : Netwerk Galerij, 2003 We build new sentences, W139, 1998 2002
Publications / catalogues collectifs (suite) : Openbaar Kunstbezit Vlaanderen 2002/3 Obscuur 23 Blend, 2002 Sint- Lukasgalerij magazine nr. 4, 2002 Handleiding 00-01, Aalst : Netwerk Galerij, 2002 Hortus Panoramicus, catalogue, 2001 European Photography nr. 68, 2001 Collections Publiques/Public Collections Art collection Flemish community, Bruxelles Centro de Arte Caja de Burgos, Espagne Fond municipale d Art Contemporain de la ville de Paris Frac Languedoc-Roussillon, Montpellier La Salle Bank Photography Collection, Chicago Lhoist Collection, Bruxelles Musée d Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris Museum for photography, Anvers Province of Antwerp, Anvers Queensland Art Gallery, South Brisbane, Australie Seattle Art Museum, Seattle The Cambridge School of Weston, USA University hospital Jette, Bruxelles, Belgique Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown, USA Deutsche börse Art Collection, Frankfurt, Allemagne