In Twiemæl Sterben (Dying Two Times) the world of Oskar von Balz unfolds, a German soldier from the First World War, brought to life by Cedric ter Bals (1990)
in comic-like drawings. Von Balz acts in the historical context of Verdun but also in contemporary Scheveningen, the home town of Cedric ter Bals. The drawings are partly autobiographical and thus the character of Oskar von Balz functions as a kind of alter ego of the artist. In the exhibition the 'Tagebuch Oskar von Balz' (Diary of Oskar von Balz) will be presented, a cartoon album about Oskar von Balz in which a mixture of English, German and Scheveningen dialect is used. The original drawings of the Tagebuch will be exhibited, along with other drawings about World War I.
Just as Cedric ter Bals focuses exclusively on the character Oskar von Balz,
Philip Akkerman (1957) has devoted himself throughout his career solely to his own portrait. This choice for one subject and its consistent implementation connects both artists. Conversely, you could also see the character Oskar von Balz as a fictional self-portrait of Cedric ter Bals.
The drawings and paintings are presented in a setting that refers to the First World War, with fragments of brick walls, straw bags, observation post and a huge grenade and war prostitute painted by Philip Akkerman on the shop window of the gallery.
During the opening you can shoot at specially made portrait sketches by Cedric ter Bals and Philip Akkerman and after hitting take home with you: € 10,- per drawing to be paid in cash. The exhibition will be opened by Vincent 't Sas, correspondent.