title. ISEBEIKEN (Ik Stond Er Bij En Ik Keek Er Naar/I stood there and I looked at it)

date. 2019

city. Sliedrecht

about. 

ISEBEIKEN is a study of the tension between the suffering on the one hand and the spectator on the other. With this work, I am looking for a new approach to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This Bible story describes the suffering of Christ, but also the role of the people around him. His mother Mary and the disciples are intensely saddened and shocked. In contrast, the Pharisees are relieved and content. The soldiers also react differently. Some try to take advantage of the situation. Others show compassion or even repentance. 

 

In general, we cannot change the suffering in this world. Nevertheless, we have to relate to it. When we see someone suffering, we can suffer with him or we can gloat. We can try to alleviate the suffering or we can add to the suffering of the other person. We can show our involvement or we can move on as quickly as possible. What we do depends on the situation and on who we are. This fact fascinates me. 

 

How do we determine our role when we are confronted 24 hours a day with the suffering that takes place in this world? Do we ignore it? Do we deny it? Are we indifferent to it? Can we share in the suffering? Can we alleviate the suffering? 

 

By using cameras in this installation, the dilemma is made clear. The viewer operates the cameras and is thus challenged to make his own image of what he sees: a crucified Christ. Via the screens, one can see how he or she views the situation. Confronted with these images, it is difficult for the spectators to form an objective picture themselves. Their image is coloured by the images on the screens. And this is exactly what we see every day; world events come at us in images that are by definition subjective. The discussions that arise are often about 'imagined reality' and rarely about 'actual reality'. 

 

The installation destroys carefully created crucifixes. The crucifix is a symbol that refers to the suffering of Christ. However, because the image of the crucified Christ has become so 'commonplace', we easily ignore the reality of this gruesome torture. As a result, the image has lost its impact. With this installation, I want to bring back the discomfort: the feeling that you have to do something with it. I put the crucifix to the rack so that the symbol becomes charged with suffering again. The figure of Christ stands for everyone who suffers. And at a time when racial discrimination and oppression are once again in the spotlight, I have chosen to make the suffering Christ black.