"Vic Gentils: The Big Happening"
2004-05-08 until 2004-08-29
Museum voor Moderne Kunst
Oostende, , BE Belgium

The pivot of this exhibition is Gentils' masterpiece "Ensor et ses squelettes veulent se chauffer" (1984). This homage to James Ensor had already been exhibited in the museum as a loan for over ten years, and now the work could finally be purchased thanks to the support of the Flemish Community. This sculpture group made of polychrome wood represents a caricature of the famous painting by the Oostend master "Squelettes voulant se chauffer" (1889) from the collection of the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth (Texas, USA).

Gentils work of art, however, is more than just an homage to a great artist. As a matter of fact, there are quite some affinities between the oeuvre of Ensor and that of Gentils. The sarcastic, often even cynical view of humankind is the central theme. Both Ensor and Gentils parody pride, misunderstandings, naivety and most of all organised foolishness. The permanent presence of this piece of art in the PMMK and in Oostend, the city of Ensor, is of great importance. In the exhibition this work of art is surrounded by large groups made by Vic Gentils between 1967 and 1981, which include"Het groot schaakspel "("Big Chess Set") (1967) from the Middelheim Museum Antwerp, "De Acht Hoofdzonden "(The Eight Cardinal Sins)(1969) from the collection of Dexia bank in Brussels and the renowned masterwork, the "Monument Camille Huysmans" (1970-1971) from the University of Antwerp. These 9 large monumental groups are brought together in the spacious ground-floor rooms of the PMMK for the first time.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for Belgium

Other Important Exhibitions in Belgium