Esther Kroon (1966-1992)
Vilain & Gai (’87-’84)
Vilain & Gai are a Rotterdam-based photography duo. For this exhibition, they were inspired by the works of photographer Esther Kroon (1966-1992), in which Vilain & Gai detect an ‘aesthetic humour’ which parallels their own work. Many of Vilain & Gai's images play with the asymmetrical relationship between different genders and prevailing ideas of masculinity and femininity. Similar to Kroon, Vilain & Gai question and often undermine beauty ideals. In this exhibition, the duo uses humour to approach classic feminist issues, subversively using stereotypical symbols of masculinity and femininity to keep the themes light-hearted. The risk, however, is that the intention of the humour is missed by the viewer. In today's increasingly polarising society, feminist ideas seem to be viewed in a negative light more and more. The question Vilain & Gai's work then incites is: how do you avoid the trap of subversive images that unintentionally (re)affirm conventional ideas about feminism and femininity, rather than dismantling them?
The Mix Nederland 'Sisterhood' is an initiative of the Beeldmix Foundation together with NS, ProRail and with the Dutch Photo Museum, UU gender studies and HKU. 'Sisterhood' is part of De Mix Nederland, a series of exhibitions in various places in the Netherlands. At each location a different contemporary Dutch photographer is inspired by a historical photo collection. The duo exhibition 'Sisterhood' has two exhibition locations: Utrecht Central Station (East Station Square) and the Stadhuisplein / Korte Minrebroederstraat. You can view the photo exhibition from September 28, 2024 to November 28, 2024. You can visit both exhibitions for free.
PHOTOGRAPHY, Esther Kroon, Nederlands Fotomuseum ©, Hatta Fokker, Nederlands Fotomuseum ©, Vilain & Gai ©.
TEXT/ TRANSLATION Astrid Kerchman & Diana Helmich
CONCEPT & PRODUCTION Rafaël Philippen Stichting Beeldmix
EXHIBITION CONCEPT Margot Wolters
Barbara Kroon, Céline Kroon, Hatta Fokker, Eliza Vivian Stefony Selberie, Melissa Diana Dailisa Selberie, Mitchell den Haan, Stefony Selberie, Iva,Thierry, Ché Pimenta Lima, Noodle, Filip Zdravković, Nicolay Lima, Maricon Studio, Marc Roderwijn & Craig Obi Roderwijn, Maritte Joseph, Koen Pieter van Dijk, Evelien Scheltinga, Sara Ciara, Venus Bijleveld, Marjolein Stormezand, Ingrid van Enkhuijzen, Len Dekker, Job Schippers, Randy Schippers, Jill van Herwaarden, Natasha Stoute, Patrick Dekker, Petar Zdravković, Joop von Schinken, Ilona Borges de Oliveira, Margreeth Olsthoorn, Eric Seton, Elfie Tromp, Noémi Prent ,NFM Carolien Provaas, Loes van Harrevelt, Stefanie de Vries, UU Rosemarie Buikema, Astrid Kerchman, Diana Helmich, HKU Stefanie Gratz, Elise Mathilde Fonds Bertien van Erg, Mondriaan Fonds Carmen Muskee, Cultuurfonds Utrecht Jenny Booms, KFHeinfonds Marlyne Stolker, Loïs Claassens.
BEELDMIX.NL