Marcin Dudek
Saved by an Unseen Crack
One hour before kick-off the neutral area separating opposing forces was invaded and compromised. The depths of architectural decay were quickly revealed; passive-aggression turned to aggression, fear and chaos. The wall collapsed. 39 people died and more than 600 were injured before disaster became spectacle as officials decided that the show must go on. The game was played and the impossible became possible as a winner was later declared on the day.
The Heysel tragedy in 1985, provides one point of departure for the work exhibited in ‘Saved by an Unseen Crack.’ Marcin Dudek’s autobiographical experiences and fascination with the architecture of spectacle, offer another. From flags to fairy tales to monumental failings, questions of romantic nationalism are put into play in a physical and mental battle. Unlike the sculpture by Patrick Rimoux that commemorates the event (and will soon be destroyed), Dudek’s works do not reference the actors in this incident, but instead structure an artistic field of fear, fanaticism and invented enemies, several of which he appears aware may be himself.
When and Where:
April 18th, 18:00 – 21:00
*Performance by Marcin Dudek at 19:00 (sharp)
Grand Opening of the gallery’s new location
46 Rue Jean d’Ardenne Straat, 1050
About Marcin Dudek:
Marcin Dudek has been living in Brussels since 2012. He left Poland at the age of 21, earning a BA at the University of Art Mozarteum in Salzburg, before moving to London where he acquired an MA at Central Saint Martins. In the past 18 months, his works have been exhibited in Brussels, Singapore, LA, Dallas, London, Salzburg, Antwerp and Dusseldorf. His installation, ‘The Cathedral of Human Labor (2013)’ is on permanent view at the Verbeke Foundation. Following his second solo exhibition with Harlan Levey Projects, he will also have solo presentations in London and Warsaw before heading off to Sao Paulo for his second residency in 2015.