The Dweller
visiting the work of Raoul Dohmen
01 October - 13 November 2011
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This exhibition pays tribute to Raoul Dohmen (1944-2005), the previous inhabitant of this house. It is here that Dohmen had his atelier. The ground floor, the cellar and even a more hidden underground room functioned as the artist's cabinet and laboratory. Here he conceived and developed several works which are now to be seen again. We have often found ourselves wondering how his life and work unfolded between these walls and under our feet where we were a little scared to dig into. We often had the uncanny feeling of somehow intruding a secret, a recondite site to which an initiation could be required.
Dohmen's artistic practice was closely linked to anthropological aesthetics. His research in myths and rituals was visually incorporated in his artworks and performances. Together with his family Dohmen spent many years traveling through south east Asia, the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. His work, inspired by totems and similar artifacts, held a special meaning for Dohmen. Beyond the merely artistic realm the works became magical tools for the artist’s inner life. The Wolf Council is a sorcerous like robe containing a mixture of elements including animal paraphernalia such as monkey hair and snakeskin but also shells, stones and crafted objects. It was worn by Dohmen during the rituals of ‘The full moon society’, a private spiritual gathering regularly held by the artist. This robe now stands as a gate to the artist’s persona but also as a catalyst to the deeper powers of an object.
AC / AZ
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Co-curated with Dohmen's daughter Hesther Jenkins.
We would like to thank Raoul's partner and co-artist Renate Jacobs for her kind help and advice .
Made possible with financial support by Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunsten
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Full Moon Circle
A special gathering was held at Rongwrong
on 12 October 2011
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It was a Full Moon ; this special date also marks the birthday of renowned occultist Aleister Crowley.
Besides living and working in the very space of Rongwrong during the 80s and 90s, Raoul Dohmen had a strong interest in Shamanism and magic. Together with some close friends and artists, Raoul used to hold a Full Moon Circle, in which new artworks and visions of life were discussed and developed.
Wednesday was the perfect day to meet and discuss some aspects of those fascinating practices.
This meeting featured an informal discussion around Dohmen's interests in shamanism and some recollections from the Full Moon Circle Society; Noot Adelaars, a close friend of Raoul, together with misterious guests, discussed uses of extraordinary tools and plants and states of non-ordinary reality, in the presence of Raoul's avatar robe The Wolf Council, exhibited at Rongwrong.
Thanks to our special audience for joining us.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
01 October - 13 November 2011
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This exhibition pays tribute to Raoul Dohmen (1944-2005), the previous inhabitant of this house. It is here that Dohmen had his atelier. The ground floor, the cellar and even a more hidden underground room functioned as the artist's cabinet and laboratory. Here he conceived and developed several works which are now to be seen again. We have often found ourselves wondering how his life and work unfolded between these walls and under our feet where we were a little scared to dig into. We often had the uncanny feeling of somehow intruding a secret, a recondite site to which an initiation could be required.
Dohmen's artistic practice was closely linked to anthropological aesthetics. His research in myths and rituals was visually incorporated in his artworks and performances. Together with his family Dohmen spent many years traveling through south east Asia, the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. His work, inspired by totems and similar artifacts, held a special meaning for Dohmen. Beyond the merely artistic realm the works became magical tools for the artist’s inner life. The Wolf Council is a sorcerous like robe containing a mixture of elements including animal paraphernalia such as monkey hair and snakeskin but also shells, stones and crafted objects. It was worn by Dohmen during the rituals of ‘The full moon society’, a private spiritual gathering regularly held by the artist. This robe now stands as a gate to the artist’s persona but also as a catalyst to the deeper powers of an object.
AC / AZ
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Co-curated with Dohmen's daughter Hesther Jenkins.
We would like to thank Raoul's partner and co-artist Renate Jacobs for her kind help and advice .
Made possible with financial support by Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunsten
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Full Moon Circle
A special gathering was held at Rongwrong
on 12 October 2011
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It was a Full Moon ; this special date also marks the birthday of renowned occultist Aleister Crowley.
Besides living and working in the very space of Rongwrong during the 80s and 90s, Raoul Dohmen had a strong interest in Shamanism and magic. Together with some close friends and artists, Raoul used to hold a Full Moon Circle, in which new artworks and visions of life were discussed and developed.
Wednesday was the perfect day to meet and discuss some aspects of those fascinating practices.
This meeting featured an informal discussion around Dohmen's interests in shamanism and some recollections from the Full Moon Circle Society; Noot Adelaars, a close friend of Raoul, together with misterious guests, discussed uses of extraordinary tools and plants and states of non-ordinary reality, in the presence of Raoul's avatar robe The Wolf Council, exhibited at Rongwrong.
Thanks to our special audience for joining us.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
