FOSSIL LECTURE​

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In Good Conditions, Kris Van Dessel and Tom Van Malderen build upon their previous collaboration 'Conditions and Opportunities' at DMW Art Space in 2017. Together with curator Tram Scawped, the artists continue their quest into the protocols of exhibiting and the mechanism of the contemporary art economy in general. Their previous collaboration at DMW investigated the conditions and opportunities of the ‘art space’ by means of a series of interventions, ranging from subtle modifications of lighting and heating elements to enquiries into the appropriate shade of white for the walls of a white cube. Following up on this expo, 'Good Conditions' explores the application and potential of autonomous artworks as components of a dense art-fair-look-alike constellation. As part of this enquiry, all prices of the works on display are fixed in accordance with the inscrutable laws of the art economy and arranged in an easy-reference component list with accompanying article numbers. In 2023, the component was reactivated as an autonomous artwork as part of the 'Best Conditions' project in Valletta, Malta. A multi-layered substance of wall paint that is spread over the surface of a sheet of A3 paper, by producing CONDENSE (2015) dried to leave a substantial coating on 1000 layers of history. A palimpsest under a final and decorative disorienting top layer.

1000 layers of paint on paper / WiFi device / variable dimensions (33 x 44 x 3 cm) / unique / 2015 - 2023.

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related works: COMPONENT 5682 - Fossil Lecture  /  CONDENSE

related exhibitions:  CONDITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES  /  GOOD CONDITIONS  /  BEST CONDITIONS