7 June – 28 September 2003
Art as a contemporary crusade
ARMOUR: the fortification of man
Fort Asperen 2003

The exhibition includes the work of some 40 participants from 20 different countries and working in various disciplines. “They are a varied group of gladiators, amazons, court jesters and alchemists”, says Li Edelkoort, the curator of ARMOUR. Among them are Yoko Ono, Paco Rabanne, Walter van Beirendonck, Marina Abramovic and Shirin Neshat. The latter will show a new video that can be considered a world-premiere and was made during the war in Iraq.

Li Edelkoort, renowned for her predictions concerning industry and government trends, sees the current social and political situation as a reason to protect and defend ourselves.
The exhibition ARMOUR takes place at Fort Asperen (1845), part of the new Dutch Water Defences and situated close to Leerdam. The Fort, the essence of defence, offers a perfect context and location for the exhibition

“Fortification, Concentration, Narration, Congregation”
The 70-year-old artist-pacifist Yoko Ono has contributed Cut Piece (1965). This work consists of a film in which a meditating Ono lets the audience, who have been given scissors for the occasion, cut her clothes to pieces.
Paco Rabanne’s contribution consists of a number of his famous metal dresses, inspired by a medieval hauberk. The fashion designer literally adds a new dimension to the combat suit.
Designer Job Smeets exhibits white porcelain swords; a contradiction in terms that puts “fighting” in a completely different perspective.
The film ‘The Hero’ by Marina Abramovic can be considered the ”piece de resistance” of the exhibition. Seated on a white horse she holds a white flag aloft; a dramatic balance between victory and surrender.
Young talents like Alicia Framis and Carlos Amorales, who this year have been chosen to represent the Netherlands at the Venice Biennale, will exhibit new work.

www.armour.nl