Kinke Kooi bei Lucas Hirsch, Düsseldorf

Ausstellungstext:

Support.

At a certain moment I decided to listen to and look at my true sympathy for specific shapes and it led me to support systems, strings of beads and locks that hold things together, mostly considered vain. I discovered that when I love to look at something so much it has a deeper meaning, even though ‘good taste’ dictates differently.

I keep looking at shapes that are associated with connection, there is a ‘bondage’ element in them. The most bonded situation we have all been in is the womb. In the same way the edges of the paper are my big support. I rest in that.

Support is not the centre of attention but always around something else. It is the setting of a ring or decoration around a door, curling around the edges of a shape. Decoration has to do with making connections. That is why I fill in spaces in between: to dissolve opposition.

To be overwhelmed by nature is to dissolve into a bigger whole. It is an inclusive situation, which is the same as a domestic situation. Bonding, bondage, family and love have a lot to do with it... Decoration, as it appears on classical silk scarfs for example, often incorporates bonding shapes like ropes, belts, knots and creepers into its patterns. Decoration loves shapes that hold things together. Decoration is a great supporter and hospitable to everything.

My mother is my big inspiration, she has a great vision on raising children, teaching and supporting. She is also a very good host. Inviting strangers into your house creates complications. It is the same with ideas: to be open to new information also creates complications. When one is open to guests and new ideas, it interrupts one’s autonomy.

I like to look at shapes of interruption, I like the soft approach.

(Kinke Kooi, August 2019)