The Burnout Society is an exhibition that highlights the unhealthy dynamics of our society and how it affects new generations, thanks to the perspectives of young artists from the Euregion.
About the exhibition:
How can someone choose between what they "should" and "could" do in a society where everything is possible? How does this affect young people - those who are supposed to create a better future, solve
climate change, fight for human rights, fair practices a
nd a more egalitarian society?
The pressure is especially felt by the younger generations, who are responsible for saving this world from all its demons. The exhibition presents the work of Dutch artist Elisa Verkoelen who explores pressure as a working method. From observations and research into decadence, Verkoelen created a series of relief prints about physicality, repetition and pressure. German artist Milena Dahl calls for
slowing down and reviving the sense of observing details and the curiosity that comes from our senses and the materials around us, through her Glasscape," an installation work made of multiple hanging
sheets of reshaped glass.
In contrast, Belgian artist Stef Lemmens focuses on the "Hate Speech" we encounter daily in the social media jungle, where education and respect have taken a back seat and anyone can say what they think without a filter. The "Hate Speech Poetry," project (2017) presents manipulated "hate speech" comments by using the blackout poetry technique, which by "removing certain words" still shows the original emotions, but the texts become more suggestive and less short -sighted, generating new meanings.
We are helping with the boom of "do it yourself" video tutorials and of Mindfulness and Yoga videos, which aim to bring back the "stressed" humanity by taking time for self-care, which at the same time has
become a kind of must to prevent and eliminate burnout, which like a vicious cycle - gives our lives even more stress. With Helping Hands, (2020), Netherlands - based artist Sara Bachour draws our attention to the gestures she found in meditation and self-help videos. The work is an ever-expanding set of gestures. The work is an ever - expanding pile of hand - shaped pillows that mimic gestures of connection, compassion, agreement and unity. Values we need to bring back to humanity.
The Burnout Society is an experimental project to support emerging artists entering the commercial art world. It is a collaboration between The Artist and the Others and Marieke Severens of Pontarte; the artists also receive mentorship. The event is also part of the Archipelago program of Biennale Image Possible (BIP) 2024.