Kunsthuis SYB

Kunsthuis SYB is pleased to invite you to the presentation of new work by Steven Jouwersma. Join us for the afternoon of October 7 to meet the artist, see the new work and have a drink together.

For the past few weeks Steven has been working on the installation Je vergeet jezelf nog eens (Someday, you will forget yourself). The presentation consists of a 16 panels painted paravent Piepbeestjes (working title), a video work Attention on attention (working title) and a series of vibrating sculptures. These new works are the result of an investigation into the mental states required to “forget yourself.” The phrase ‘Je vergeet jezelf nog eens’ is a citation from his mother during conversations with Steven. Additionally, Steven researched the concept of the snoezelen room* and visited snoezelen rooms in Beetsterzwaag.

Within this context of research, the artist created a number of sculptures that are made with built-in speakers and that vibrate perceptibly. They may be touched and held by visitors during the final presentation. In his new painted paravent Piepbeestjes (working title) he has drawn inspiration from childhood drawings of his autistic brother Menno. Steven considers this new work as a meditation on both his brother’s and his own perception of reality. The new video work Attention on attention (working title) captures the working process of these last weeks. It presents the relations of a series of diverse concepts and experiences from Zen Buddhism to activities of his mother.

During the presentation of October 7, there will be a performative talk by the artist.

With the presentation Je vergeet jezelf nog eens (Someday, you will forget yourself), Steven attempts to transcend barriers that may exist between neurologically different perceptions of the world. The practice of “forgetting yourself” is approached as an experience in the physical world that is only possible through a simultaneous meditation on perception itself.

Je vergeet jezelf nog eens (Someday, you will forget yourself) is still on view Saturday, Oct. 8 and Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The artist will be present both days.

*The term snoezelen room is a contraction of the Dutch verbs “snuffelen” (to seek and explore) and “doezelen” (to relax). These spaces are found in care institutions for people with a mental and/or physical handicap and are intended to bring them to rest by stimulating the senses in a relaxing environment.

Final presentation Friday, October 7
5 – 8 p.m.
6 p.m. artist talk

on view Saturday, Oct. 8 and
Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This project is made possible by: