Blurring the Lines' partner opens the exhibition Earthlings at Atelier Néerlandais in Paris

The emerging artists of the Earthlings seem to be visionaries. Although they chose their themes prior to the corona outbreak, their work reflects on the societal issues that came into starker contrast during the pandemic. It is now more evident than ever: how we have chosen to live together within the limited space of this planet has resulted in a precarious balancing act.

We share the Earth with one another, with animals, and the nature that surrounds us. The sun, the mountains, plants, trees, and rocks may all combine as an idea of “nature” to some people, but for others their meanings differ greatly. The places we were born help shape our identity; a home for one is an unfamiliar place for another. How do we share our, sometimes painful, history on Earth with each other? What is the impact of our limitless consumption on the climate? And how malleable are our lives?

These are some of the existential questions raised by the young artists in this exhibition. The works in Earthlings are concerned with our planet, are asking questions about our place in the ecosystem, and searching for solutions. They confront us with the urgencies of our world, and employ many forms of imagination and thinking to reflect on our current times. They offer hope and propose alternatives for the future.

Works include:
Eline Benjaminsen, Footprints in the Valley (2020 ongoing)
Marina Caneve, Are They Rocks or Clouds? (2019)
Frijke Coumans, Gardeners of Desire (2018)
Fleur Jakobs, Stripped of the Earth (2018/2019)
Viktor Naumovski, Standing in the Sun (2019)
Michelle Piergoelam, The Untangled Tales (2019)
Zoë Sluijs, What Happened when I Stopped Pretending to Know (2020)
Gilleam Trapenberg, Unbé t’aweró (2021)

Atelier Néerlandais, 121 Rue de Lille, 75007 Paris
11–20 November
12.00–17.00 hrs
Entrance is free of charge

Credits
Curator: Jenny Smets
Production: Lisanne van Happen, Victoria Chaushyan, Martha Stroo, The Adventures of Mr. Soundmount, FOTOLAB
Communication: Femke Rotteveel, Stephanie Stumpel, Patrick Cramer