Fantastic Beings

In the exhibition Fantastic Beings, centuries-old myths come together in contemporary art. Fantastic Beings presents work by artists from the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Turkey, South Africa, and Mexico. The artworks reveal that myths are not merely stories from a distant past, but living traditions that continually acquire new meanings and resonate with future generations. Through wondrous beings in textiles, drawings, ceramics, paintings, videos, and installations, artists explore contemporary themes such as identity, politics, and social relations.

One of the highlights of Fantastic Beings is Grosse Fatigue (2013), a groundbreaking film by Camille Henrot (1978). In this film, she brings creation stories from different civilisations together into an overwhelming mix of scientific discoveries and mythology. She uses spoken word and a rapid sequence of images to present knowledge as a stream of associations that washes over the viewer. Another contemporary artist is Jamel Armand, who uses the figures in his work to relate to unknown ancestors. Also Müge Yılmaz and Buhlebezwe Siwani create works in which they explore the spiritual and ritual aspects of myths.

Cover image: Exhibition overview of Fantastic Beings, featuring works by Afra Eisma, Spring Is Yours, 2024 | photo: Gert-Jan van Rooij (in the back), and Hella Jongerius, Angry Animals, Bommel van Dam | photo: Minted Media (center)