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"My 24 Carat Floating Sign of Eternal Love for You", Krabbedans, Eindhoven 20/06/2008

From:     Sjak van Gilzen
Category: ArtExhibitions
Date:     24 June 2008
Time:     06:38 PM

Review:

Jeroen Offerman's private view at the renewed Krabbedans space in Eindhoven (NL) saw the artist 
mix pop-art with local culture and his usual style of performative entertainment. The result is a clever 
piece of conceptual art and cosmologic symbolism, dressed up like a 5 year old child who is ready to 
visit a schoolfriend's birthday party.
Clusters of large silver foil helium balloons drifted perfectly balanced through the space as if they 
were planets in the galaxy. A strong light on a mirrorball threw stars into the universe of the white 
exhibition space while everything was dressed up in confetti, flags and serpentine.
The dream-like tranquility of the installation was absurdly contrasted by the appearance of a local 
carnaval band that serenaded the biggest balloon-sculpture with a medley of local lovesongs, played 
out loud on its brass instrumentation. Besides lubricating the joints and hips of some visitors it also 
exposed a social structure within the network of artist and art-space.
Comparisons with works by Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol and Tomas Saraceno sprung to mind, thus 
connecting the worlds of so called "high" and "low" art.
It'll be possible to see Offerman's work untill the 6th of July 2008. That's to say, if you are lucky enough 
to see the balloons still inflated. Otherwise you might feel like being that one kid showing up at the 
end of the party when all others are leaving and the cake has finished long before...


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