'How dare you' in the entrance of the Ceramics Museum in Icheon
Last year, I was invited to show my installation How dare you at the Gyeonggi Ceramic Biennale 2024. Parallel to the exhibition of those selected for the Biennale, an exhibition of artists from around the world was organised at the Ceramics Museum in Icheon. The exhibition was put together based on a theme that showed visions of the concept of ‘Together’. At the basis of this was used a famous quote by the French philosopher Michel de Montaigne (1533-92). ‘When I am playing with my cat, how do I know she is not playing with me?’ The question sums up Montaigne’s long-held conviction that we can never really plumb the inner life of others, be they cats or other human beings. One of the sub-themes was man’s relationship with the earth and for which my work had been selected.
I made this installation in 2021-22 in response to the climate crisis we are in globally and which I am deeply concerned about. It is truly terrible what is happening and still many people don’t seem to realise what is going on and that we have to do something about it ourselves.
It shows the innocent story of Pippi Longstocking and the dogged struggle of Greta Thunberg. Pippi, heroine of many who grew up in the 1970s, is a fearless, non-conformist girl growing up in a society that offered optimism and freedom. Greta is of today and lives in a society that does not seem to be as simple as it was then and where major social issues confuse us all. Deeply impressed by her determination to go to war as a climate activist, I have given her a platform in this work to support her struggle. Accompanied by her faithful animals, the monkey Mr Nilsson and horse Witje, she bravely steps forward as an advocate for climate in a world on fire.
This summer, I carpentered crates to get the work shipped safely to Korea. This whole operation was perfectly arranged by the Korean organisation. In early September, the Biennale opened grandly with a huge party, presentations and fireworks. It was great to be there and meet so many new people and get a glimpse of Korea. I spent the last day and a half in Seoul where I visited the National Museum and the Kiaf artfair.
The exhibition was visited by 80,000 people, an unprecedented number. I am very happy that I was able to participate in this exhibitionand visit this special country.
