WALTER VAN BEIRENDONCK – THE POWER OF MASKS
Since 1 September the exhibition POWERMASK – The Power Of Masks can be seen in the World Museum in Rotterdam. Curator Walter Van Beirendonck shows an overview of different masks and their meaning, using photography, film and visual arts. Throughout his career, the fashion designer has been fascinated by masks and ritual make-up. They often give meaning to cultures, spiritual strength and refer to ancestors, rituals and symbols. Van Beirendonck regularly uses masks in his collections, and artists such as Pablo Picasso, James Ensor and Keith Haring were inspired by them from time to time. For the exhibition, the World Museum gave Van Beirendonck carte blanche. He took his inspiration from their permanent collection, which is the result of 160 years of collecting various objects – masks amongst them – from different cultures. Every one of these objects tells a human story, and shows the enormous cultural diversity in our world. POWERMASK is a collection of more than 125 masks, masked costumes and fashion silhouettes, and it is shown in Rotterdam, as well as photos and other works of art. Van Beirendonck’s own work and pieces from the permanent collection are exhibited, as well as work by artists Diane Arbus, Jean-Michel Basquiat, James Ensor and Charles Fréger and by designers such as Christophe Coppens, Viktor & Rolf and Dirk Van Saene.
The exhibition can be seen in the Rotterdam World Museum until 7 January
Left: Collage/poster of the exhibition
Right: Walter Vanbeirendonck at POWERMASK
Left: Design from the SS17 collection ‘Why is a raven like a writing-desk?’
Right: Photography by Charles Fréger, from the series Yokainoshima
Left: Portrait of Walter Vanbeirendonck
Right: For the exhibition Van Beirendonck took his inspiration from the World Museum’s permanent collection, which is the result of 160 years of collecting various objects – masks amongst them – from different cultures.
Left: Mask that is part of the World Museum’s permanent collection
Right: Backstage at Walter van Beirendonck’s SS15 presentation in Paris.
Left: Exhibition view and combination at POWERMASK
Right: Photography by Charles Fréger, from the series Yokainoshima
WORDS BY STEPHANIE DE SMET