In the beginning, Marijke van Warmerdam crafted sculptures encompassing a wide array of mediums: wood, plaster, metal, glass, textiles, and rubber. However, her artistic pursuits have since expanded to a diverse repertoire, incorporating video, photography, audiotape, silkscreen, and even wrapping paper and stickers. Through her commissions and installations, she delves into the realm of intangibility, boldly experimenting with concepts such as time and movement. This is most apparent in her 16-mm films, where she chooses and captures moments from life, setting them into fluid motion.
For instance, in “Handstand” (1992) a girl can be seen repeatedly performing a handstand, while in “Douche” (1995) a man stands under a shower, the actions playing out ad infinitum. The films are presented in a continuous loop, with no discernible beginning or end, seamlessly connecting the two. The duration between the return of the exact image is intentionally ambiguous, creating a mesmerizing rhythm that draws the viewer into the enthralling world of repetition. Observation turns into fixation, as the repetition conjures a sense of enchantment while simultaneously diminishing the significance of the actions being shown. Time simultaneously moves forward and stands still, as there is no overarching narrative to follow. The focus is on the process, not the storytelling.
Despite their close resemblance to reality, these short films exist in the realm of art, specifically in the museum setting. They are projected onto a white wall or screen within the exhibition space, rather than a typical movie theater. The projector is always visible, emphasizing the artifice of the medium. As a viewer, you physically move through the projections, further blurring the line between the art and reality. It’s as though you’re entering a liminal space, but never fully immersing yourself.
www.ftn-books.com has several van Warmerdam titles now available.
