Artist Erik Sep has worked on his city installation for over a decade. With its current contours, the layout of Neurotopia (.nl) is set as it has been presented in ever-changing contours at many exhibition venues. The surface consists of infrastructure and 'building lots'. These lots give space for his buildings. These are all separate sculptures with their own finished pedestals. When a sculpture sells a lot becomes vacant for a new sculpture/building. As in vibrant cities like Berlin and Rotterdam in Neurotopia new and finished buildings stand alongside sculptures/buildings still being developed.
Through his miniature city, 'Neurotopia' Erik Sep depicts the way we give shape to and engineer our existence. By recreating our visible world, he opens a door to a parallel universe. In Neuropia the world as we know it seems to be right around the corner. Yet, in Neurotopia constructions and relationships are possible, which in reality are impracticable and would not fit the human scale.
Through his miniature city, 'Neurotopia' Erik Sep depicts the way we give shape to and engineer our existence. By recreating our visible world, he opens a door to a parallel universe. In Neuropia the world as we know it seems to be right around the corner. Yet, in Neurotopia constructions and relationships are possible, which in reality are impracticable and would not fit the human scale.
Artworks
Articles
Media
Highlights
Recommendations
Collections
Shows
Market position
CV
Media
Neurotopia Looping - Erik Sep
About
Het zenuwstelsel van Erik Sep
In Frank Taal Gallery there is a ghostly city. Neurotopia is a complex work of art by Erik Sep but still, and there is nothing else to it: the art lover must get down.
Two plastic robots are hiding in a porch next to a molecular-like structure that proliferates like a living organism. They are the two only human-like figures in this urban desert. I don't know for sure. The city of Neurotopia by Erik Sep is full of details and I may miss something. Yet there are signs of habitation. "Huntelaar" is sprayed on a wall in graffiti letters and for whom is that clock? The buildings are for sale as individual works of art. Sep is building a new building on the released plot. Just as weathered and constructed from pieces of waste, duplicate or another piece of building material. This is how Neurotopia continues to develop.
"This is Rotterdam" someone said to me recently, "Frank Taal looks at me questioningly. Yes, I could, but I'm careful with that. You compare each city with the city where you live. Is Neurotopia Rotterdam? In any case, it is a city in which construction is taking place, but also a ravaged city, a city in decline with debris in the streets. The infrastructure makes a battered impression, like a wounded animal with scars on the body. Perhaps I am exaggerating, but the absence of life, people, gives me the nasty feeling that something terrible has happened here. This is a war zone. Rotterdam was once such a city.
To be able to view Neurotopia properly, the viewer must be down. Crawling, sneaking and sniffing around the walls. Along the pillars of the hospital under construction, along "Fuck Me" of the colorful Dice Duplo-like complex. Through the grit and debris of the city and along the buildings of Sep, each with their own character. This is a metropolis, not a boring suburb out of the box of an architectural firm. This is Erik Sep's nervous system city plan. His neurotransmitters have produced this eclectic artwork. A work of art that grows and changes, is in motion, a city like a brain.
John van Tiggelen
Erik Sep @ Frank Taal
Actually without words; Erik Sep's growing modular mega-city speaks for itself. Scaled gaming pleasure with a high level of detail. The master is recognized in the noise and rust.
Sometimes not an empty slogan: recommended for the entire family. Erik Sep miniatures monomaniac: zut, stuff and noise with its own clay and baked stone. City violence of format.
Jeroen Bosch
Shows
CV
CV Erik Sep
Education:
Willem de Kooning Academie te Rotterdam,
Autonome Beeldende Kunst en Vormgeving 1998 ‐ 2002
Docent fine art & education aan de HKU, Utrecht sinds 2010
Erik Sep has been officially announced by the municipality as City Artist of Dordrecht 2019 - 2020.
Exhibitions:
2019 The Frankies Choice #2 group exhibition, Galerie Frank Taal, Rotterdam
2019 Yes, We're Open 2019 summer group exhibition, Galerie Frank Taal, Rotterdam
2019 Architecture of Art group exhibition, Galerie Frank Taal, Rotterdam
2019 The Frankies Choice group exhibition, Galerie Frank Taal, Rotterdam
2018 Yes, We're Open summer group exhibition, Galerie Frank Taal, Rotterdam
2017 Art Rotterdam with Bram Bram, Galerie Frank Taal, Rotterdam
2016 Construction Sight, Kunstenlab, Deventer
2016 Neurotopia on location (former butcher shop), Van Speykstraat 192, Rotterdam (Frank Taal)
2016 Contemporary Art Fair, Cruise Terminal, Rotterdam (art fair)
2015 Neurotopia, Galerie Frank Taal, Rotterdam
2015 De stad in MIJ, Museum IJsselstein
2014 De stad in MIJ, Museum IJsselstein
2014 Het gedachtenexperiment, KIK, Kolderveen [curator Edwin Stolk]
2014 Connected, 010 at 020, Galerie Roger Katwijk, Amsterdam (i.c.w. Frank Taal)
2014 Growing up in a small town, SBL, Dordrecht
2014 It never happened, 10 jaar Noordkaap, Dordrecht
2013 En hij zag dat het goed was, Willem 3, Vlissingen
2013 Hello, am Rundgang, Halle 14/Spinnerij, Leipzich (Jaap Sleper/Frank Taal) As
fake as reality, Galrie Frank Taal, Rotterdam (with Daan den Houter
2013 Art at the warehouse (Galerie Frank Taal, art fair)
2012 The end of the World, Baracca/ KIV 22, Dordrecht (groep)
2012 Liberty City, St. het Raam, Venlo (solo)
2012 Z. T., de Aanschouw, Rotterdam (solo)
2012 Art In Redlight, Oude Kerk, Amsterdam (independent art fair)
2012 Zie de stad, Pand Paulus, Schiedam (groep)
2012 Kunst werkt, Dordrecht (groep)
2012 Hermetic city, Garage, Rotterdam
2012 Fragments of architecture, galerie Gist, Amsterdam (groep)
2012 Low Tech Society, museum het Valkhof, Nijmegen (solo)
2011 Low Tech Society, museum het Valkhof, Nijmegen (solo)
2011 Brabant Nu, museum de Pont, Tilburg (groep), Het wild gillend schildersgilde)
2011 Art Amsterdam, RAI Amsterdam (Galerie Gist, art fair)
2010 Tapetenwechsel, CBK Dordrecht (groep)
2010 Show off, Pont Alexandre 3, Parijs (Galerie Gist)
2010 Bouwstad, Villa Zebra, Rotterdam (groep)
2010 Inrichting Animatielounge /Urban Explorers festival, CBK Dordrecht
2010 Art Amsterdam, RAI Amsterdam (Galerie Gist)
2010 Art Rotterdam, Cruiseterminal Rotterdam (Galerie Gist)
2009 Slick Art Fair, Parijs (Galerie Gist)
2009 De Sloppentoren, 't Torentje Almelo (solo)
2009 Kunstvereniging Diepenheim (groep)
2009 Art Amsterdam, RAI Amsterdam (Galerie Gist, Art fair)
2009 Slow City, Galerie Gist, Amsterdam (duo Thomas Elshuis)
2008 Ecoscape, TENT., Rotterdam (groep)
2008 Berlin Hills, Skulpturenpark Berlin
2008 De paralelle wereld van Erik Sep, Noordkaap, Dordrecht (solo)
2007 Zwervende tentoonstelling nr. 9, Loods 6 Amsterdam (groep) Groepstentoonstelling, Galerie
2007 Berendsen , Rotterdam (duo Manu Baeyens) Microscopische vergezichten, Delft (solo)
2006 Gastatelier Wielwijk, CBK Dordrecht Fijt, Cucosa, Rotterdam (groep)
2006 Hier komt..., Bewaerschole, Burg Haamstede (i.s.m. T. Visser)
2005 My satellite mind, CBK Rotterdam (groep, i.s.m. T. Visser)
2004 Officiële opening ‘Instituut Voor Zin en Waanzin’, Stadswerven Dordrecht, (i.s.m. T. Visser)
2004 Aan het Werk, CBK Dordrecht (groep, i.s.m. T. Visser)
2003 Groepstentoonstelling, Sign., Groningen ( i.s.m. T. Visser)
Awards/nominations/grants
2016 Grant Werkbijdrage Bewezen Talent, Mondriaan Fonds
2015 Projectgrant ‘city marketing plan’ Neurotopia, Gemeente Dordrecht
2011 Toekenning flexibele bijdrage werkbudget, Fonds BKVB Projectsubsidie t.b.v. cameratrein Low
Tech Society, CBK Dordrecht
2010 Nominatie ‘Thieme Award’, Art Amsterdam
2009 Winnaar ‘Prix d'Arte’ , Slick Art Fair, Parijs
2008 Toekenning basisstipendium, Fonds BKVB
2008 Honorarium, Gastverblijf Kunstfabrik am Flutgraben, Berlijn, CBK Dordrecht
2007 Website subsidie, CBK Dordrecht
2006 Honorarium, Gastateliers Wielwijk, Dordrecht
2004 Startsubsidie, IVZW, CBK Dordre
2003 Nominatie ‘Maaskantprijs’ Rotterdam
2003 Projectsubsidie, IVZW, CBK Dordrecht
2002 Startsubsidie, CBK Dordrecht
2002 Nominatie ‘Shell Young Art Award’ Rotterdam
2002 Nominatie ’Drempelprijs’ Willem de Kooning Academy
Publications / interviews:
2016 Lecture, ‘Talk of the town’ during Bouwlab, Fabrikaat, Nijmegen
2014 Publication, Imagine Architecture, Book, Gestalten publishers, Berlin
2013 Interview Kunstbeeld, ‘Geen poppenhuis’, by Tessa Verheul
2012 Fotopublicatie in ‘Nederland Stedenland’, nai010 uitgevers
2012 Fotopublicatie, Stichting Doen, over Dordtyart ‘Kunst Werkt’, door Gerrit Willems
2011 Interview, de Avonden, in museum het Valkhof (radioprogr.)
2010 Publicatie in ‘Aan het werk 6’, CBK Dordrecht, December
2010 Picturablad, ‘De stad als droom en aanklacht’, interview door Lex van der Wagt
2010 Publicatie in: ‘Genius Loci, 15 jaar installaties in Het Torentje in Almelo’
2010 Opgenomen in chronologie, Skulpturenpark Berlin_ Zentrum
2010 What’s up! , De bouwmanie van Erik Sep, door Joanne Dijkman
2009 Kunstbeeld, ‘Signalement’ door Sandra Spijkerman, September
2009 Tubantia, ‘Een vergroeide stad in het Almelose centrum’ Juli
2009 De Roskam, ‘Een toren in een toren die geen gewone toren is’ door Dora Brandt, Juli
2009 NRC Handelsblad, ‘Niets ligt vast in de almaar veranderende metropool’, 23 Januari
2008 Volkskrant, recensie ‘Ecoscape’,groepstentoonstellig TENT., November
2007 NRC Handelsblad, ‘Het klonk als een jongensdroom’ tentoonstelling in Berendsen Galerie, Maart
2006 Publicatie ‘Gastatelier Wielwijk’, CBK Dordrecht, November
2006 AD Haagse Courant, tentoonstelling in DOK Delft, Oktober
2006 Publicatie in ‘Mark Magazine’, over Instituut voor Zin & Waanzin, Maart
2006 AD De Dordtenaar, tijdens Gastatelier Wielwijk Dordrecht, Februari
2006 Publicatie ‘Spouw’, door Jan van den Langenberg/ Jan van Heemst, T. Visser, Februari
2005 PZC, tentoonstelling in Bewaerschole Burg Haamstede, December De Dordtenaar, i.s.m. T. Visser
2004 Publicatie in: "Aan het Werk 3 ", CBK Dordrecht, i.s.m. T. Visser, Februari
Education:
Willem de Kooning Academie te Rotterdam,
Autonome Beeldende Kunst en Vormgeving 1998 ‐ 2002
Docent fine art & education aan de HKU, Utrecht sinds 2010
Erik Sep has been officially announced by the municipality as City Artist of Dordrecht 2019 - 2020.
Exhibitions:
2019 The Frankies Choice #2 group exhibition, Galerie Frank Taal, Rotterdam
2019 Yes, We're Open 2019 summer group exhibition, Galerie Frank Taal, Rotterdam
2019 Architecture of Art group exhibition, Galerie Frank Taal, Rotterdam
2019 The Frankies Choice group exhibition, Galerie Frank Taal, Rotterdam
2018 Yes, We're Open summer group exhibition, Galerie Frank Taal, Rotterdam
2017 Art Rotterdam with Bram Bram, Galerie Frank Taal, Rotterdam
2016 Construction Sight, Kunstenlab, Deventer
2016 Neurotopia on location (former butcher shop), Van Speykstraat 192, Rotterdam (Frank Taal)
2016 Contemporary Art Fair, Cruise Terminal, Rotterdam (art fair)
2015 Neurotopia, Galerie Frank Taal, Rotterdam
2015 De stad in MIJ, Museum IJsselstein
2014 De stad in MIJ, Museum IJsselstein
2014 Het gedachtenexperiment, KIK, Kolderveen [curator Edwin Stolk]
2014 Connected, 010 at 020, Galerie Roger Katwijk, Amsterdam (i.c.w. Frank Taal)
2014 Growing up in a small town, SBL, Dordrecht
2014 It never happened, 10 jaar Noordkaap, Dordrecht
2013 En hij zag dat het goed was, Willem 3, Vlissingen
2013 Hello, am Rundgang, Halle 14/Spinnerij, Leipzich (Jaap Sleper/Frank Taal) As
fake as reality, Galrie Frank Taal, Rotterdam (with Daan den Houter
2013 Art at the warehouse (Galerie Frank Taal, art fair)
2012 The end of the World, Baracca/ KIV 22, Dordrecht (groep)
2012 Liberty City, St. het Raam, Venlo (solo)
2012 Z. T., de Aanschouw, Rotterdam (solo)
2012 Art In Redlight, Oude Kerk, Amsterdam (independent art fair)
2012 Zie de stad, Pand Paulus, Schiedam (groep)
2012 Kunst werkt, Dordrecht (groep)
2012 Hermetic city, Garage, Rotterdam
2012 Fragments of architecture, galerie Gist, Amsterdam (groep)
2012 Low Tech Society, museum het Valkhof, Nijmegen (solo)
2011 Low Tech Society, museum het Valkhof, Nijmegen (solo)
2011 Brabant Nu, museum de Pont, Tilburg (groep), Het wild gillend schildersgilde)
2011 Art Amsterdam, RAI Amsterdam (Galerie Gist, art fair)
2010 Tapetenwechsel, CBK Dordrecht (groep)
2010 Show off, Pont Alexandre 3, Parijs (Galerie Gist)
2010 Bouwstad, Villa Zebra, Rotterdam (groep)
2010 Inrichting Animatielounge /Urban Explorers festival, CBK Dordrecht
2010 Art Amsterdam, RAI Amsterdam (Galerie Gist)
2010 Art Rotterdam, Cruiseterminal Rotterdam (Galerie Gist)
2009 Slick Art Fair, Parijs (Galerie Gist)
2009 De Sloppentoren, 't Torentje Almelo (solo)
2009 Kunstvereniging Diepenheim (groep)
2009 Art Amsterdam, RAI Amsterdam (Galerie Gist, Art fair)
2009 Slow City, Galerie Gist, Amsterdam (duo Thomas Elshuis)
2008 Ecoscape, TENT., Rotterdam (groep)
2008 Berlin Hills, Skulpturenpark Berlin
2008 De paralelle wereld van Erik Sep, Noordkaap, Dordrecht (solo)
2007 Zwervende tentoonstelling nr. 9, Loods 6 Amsterdam (groep) Groepstentoonstelling, Galerie
2007 Berendsen , Rotterdam (duo Manu Baeyens) Microscopische vergezichten, Delft (solo)
2006 Gastatelier Wielwijk, CBK Dordrecht Fijt, Cucosa, Rotterdam (groep)
2006 Hier komt..., Bewaerschole, Burg Haamstede (i.s.m. T. Visser)
2005 My satellite mind, CBK Rotterdam (groep, i.s.m. T. Visser)
2004 Officiële opening ‘Instituut Voor Zin en Waanzin’, Stadswerven Dordrecht, (i.s.m. T. Visser)
2004 Aan het Werk, CBK Dordrecht (groep, i.s.m. T. Visser)
2003 Groepstentoonstelling, Sign., Groningen ( i.s.m. T. Visser)
Awards/nominations/grants
2016 Grant Werkbijdrage Bewezen Talent, Mondriaan Fonds
2015 Projectgrant ‘city marketing plan’ Neurotopia, Gemeente Dordrecht
2011 Toekenning flexibele bijdrage werkbudget, Fonds BKVB Projectsubsidie t.b.v. cameratrein Low
Tech Society, CBK Dordrecht
2010 Nominatie ‘Thieme Award’, Art Amsterdam
2009 Winnaar ‘Prix d'Arte’ , Slick Art Fair, Parijs
2008 Toekenning basisstipendium, Fonds BKVB
2008 Honorarium, Gastverblijf Kunstfabrik am Flutgraben, Berlijn, CBK Dordrecht
2007 Website subsidie, CBK Dordrecht
2006 Honorarium, Gastateliers Wielwijk, Dordrecht
2004 Startsubsidie, IVZW, CBK Dordre
2003 Nominatie ‘Maaskantprijs’ Rotterdam
2003 Projectsubsidie, IVZW, CBK Dordrecht
2002 Startsubsidie, CBK Dordrecht
2002 Nominatie ‘Shell Young Art Award’ Rotterdam
2002 Nominatie ’Drempelprijs’ Willem de Kooning Academy
Publications / interviews:
2016 Lecture, ‘Talk of the town’ during Bouwlab, Fabrikaat, Nijmegen
2014 Publication, Imagine Architecture, Book, Gestalten publishers, Berlin
2013 Interview Kunstbeeld, ‘Geen poppenhuis’, by Tessa Verheul
2012 Fotopublicatie in ‘Nederland Stedenland’, nai010 uitgevers
2012 Fotopublicatie, Stichting Doen, over Dordtyart ‘Kunst Werkt’, door Gerrit Willems
2011 Interview, de Avonden, in museum het Valkhof (radioprogr.)
2010 Publicatie in ‘Aan het werk 6’, CBK Dordrecht, December
2010 Picturablad, ‘De stad als droom en aanklacht’, interview door Lex van der Wagt
2010 Publicatie in: ‘Genius Loci, 15 jaar installaties in Het Torentje in Almelo’
2010 Opgenomen in chronologie, Skulpturenpark Berlin_ Zentrum
2010 What’s up! , De bouwmanie van Erik Sep, door Joanne Dijkman
2009 Kunstbeeld, ‘Signalement’ door Sandra Spijkerman, September
2009 Tubantia, ‘Een vergroeide stad in het Almelose centrum’ Juli
2009 De Roskam, ‘Een toren in een toren die geen gewone toren is’ door Dora Brandt, Juli
2009 NRC Handelsblad, ‘Niets ligt vast in de almaar veranderende metropool’, 23 Januari
2008 Volkskrant, recensie ‘Ecoscape’,groepstentoonstellig TENT., November
2007 NRC Handelsblad, ‘Het klonk als een jongensdroom’ tentoonstelling in Berendsen Galerie, Maart
2006 Publicatie ‘Gastatelier Wielwijk’, CBK Dordrecht, November
2006 AD Haagse Courant, tentoonstelling in DOK Delft, Oktober
2006 Publicatie in ‘Mark Magazine’, over Instituut voor Zin & Waanzin, Maart
2006 AD De Dordtenaar, tijdens Gastatelier Wielwijk Dordrecht, Februari
2006 Publicatie ‘Spouw’, door Jan van den Langenberg/ Jan van Heemst, T. Visser, Februari
2005 PZC, tentoonstelling in Bewaerschole Burg Haamstede, December De Dordtenaar, i.s.m. T. Visser
2004 Publicatie in: "Aan het Werk 3 ", CBK Dordrecht, i.s.m. T. Visser, Februari
Free Magazine Subscription
Articles, interviews, shows & events. Delivered to your mailbox weekly.