Regenboog Zonnedans

Jonathan — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 10:01:35 +0000

Rainbow Sundance

June 2022

Rainbow Sundance is a contemporary, colorful and dynamic translation of the Cramignon. A traditional circle dance that is danced in various places in the municipality of Eijsden-Margraten (South Limburg, Netherlands) and in neighboring Belgian places in Wallonia. A cultural and musical identity as a cross-border lifestyle and connection.

The artwork celebrates the diversity of all the varied life on Earth. For all colors of people, flora and fauna. But also values like inclusiveness (equality), tolerance and solidarity. And without sun, no life. No sun, no rainbow. On the other hand, the universal and powerful symbolism of rainbow and sun refers to hope and happiness. In the background you can see the connecting, undulating landscape with hills, valleys and the river Maas that are typical of this area in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine.

The artworks are created by converting hand-drawn illustrations into a digital design. The designs were then printed on special, thick mother-of-pearl paper with gold foil. The seven works of art are bundled as a total package with a golden ribbon that was used for the artwork Inside the rainbow (you find yourself).

You can frame the artworks as a whole or per element or always carry them with you in your inside pocket or wallet. A gift for yourself, friends, family or for a stranger on the street.

Second series of Kunst-O-Maat
Rainbow Sundance was commissioned by the municipality of Eijsden-Margraten for the second series of artworks of the Kunst-O-Maat. A recycled vintage cigarette machine which can be found in the PLUS supermarket in Eijsden, the Netherlands. It offers a changing collection of eight small works of art specially created for this purpose. The artists live/work in the municipality or used the environment as a source of inspiration.

The works of art are for sale as a total package for a symbolic price of €4 in a limited edition of 35 and signed on the back (verso).

Title: Rainbow Sundance
Location: For sale from July 2022 at the PLUS supermarket in Eijsden, the Netherlands. Address: Cramignonstraat 1, 6245 CP Eijsden, The Netherlands.
Process: March to June 2022.
Quantity: 7 works of art in a limited edition of 35. Total: 245 pieces.
Signed: on the back (verso).
Material: Mother of pearl paper (300 gr), double sided full colour, single sided golf foil, uncoated. Organza glitter (gold: wide 25 mm).
Dimensions: 50mm wide x 85mm high per artwork.
Client: Municipality of Eijsden-Margraten.
Special thanks to: Maureen Bachaus (municipality of Eijsden-Margraten), Laura Selvi and Ward Schoonbrood (Bureau Schoonbrood).
Photos: Maaike Faas (Maaike Schauer Photography).
© Jonathan Wanders

I can't breathe

Jonathan — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 07:59:51 +0000

I can't breathe

October 2021

The artwork 'I can't breathe' is an ambiguous representation of the systemic (systematic) oppression in our (Western) society. The work holds up a mirror to us. We live in an unjust and unequal society. A faulty system. The phrase "I can't breathe" is like a mantra of systemic oppression ending in noise and tragedy. The words are aggressively intertwined like a kind of impenetrable chainmail which makes any dialogue impossible. A chaotic darkness.

The artwork was created by repeating the phrase “I can't breathe” 2020 times. The phrase “I can't breathe” became known worldwide for the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 in Minneapolis. Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man, died after police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee on Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes while he lay handcuffed with his stomach in the street. The event became world news and sparked worldwide protests against racism.

Floyd wasn't the first - or the last - who spoke the words chokingly "I can't breathe", but since his death and subsequent protests, the phrase has taken on a lasting, substantial impact. Floyd's last words did not die with him, but are still heard. Like a persistent, global and noisy echo.

The artwork is about racism in particular and discrimination in general. Making structural and systematic (racial) inequality and mechanisms of exclusion and marginalization visible. Think of current and relevant themes such as: Black Lives Matter, refugees, climate crisis, #MeToo, (bio)diversity, inclusion, but also the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. The sentence “I can't breathe” symbolizes the people who are on a ventilator due to a Covid-19 infection, the earth that is becoming less livable due to the consequences of the climate crisis, and for all people who are oppressed, or excluded on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, etc. People who cannot be themselves. Who cannot be free.

Details
I can’t breathe, 2021
Fine art inkjet print, framed
Dimensions: 40.5 x 32 x 3.5 cm (white wooden frame), 29.7 x 21 cm (A4 Hahnemühle paper)
Limited edition of 25, signed on verso
Price: €450,- (incl. certificate of authenticity)

Title: I can't breathe
Process: May 2020 to October 2021.
Edition: Limited edition of 25.
Paper: Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Bright White, 310 gsm, 100% cotton, bright white, Matt FineArt, smooth.
Print: Inkjet coating produced with Epson UltraChrome Pro ink from Epson SureColor P20000.
Frame: Wood (white), museum glass (Artglass AR 70), foam spacer. Framed by Maaslands Lijstenmakerij (framing), Maastricht.
Dimensions: 40.5 x 32 x 3.5 cm (frame), 29.7 x 21 cm (A4 print).
Signed: on the back (verso). Paper (September 22, 2021), frame (by date of realization frame, first edition: October 7, 2021).
Photos: Jonathan Wanders.
© Jonathan Wanders

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Regenboog Zonnedans

Rainbow Sundance

I can't breathe

I can't breathe