The 'Tijd en Eeuwigheid' Exhibition: Poetry, Paper Art, and Mindful Reflection

This exhibition explores the relationship between art and the viewer through striking paper art objects by Annita Smit and new poems by contemporary Dutch poets. It invites visitors to experience a moment of 'slow art', encouraging mindfulness and meditation within a museum setting.

The exhibition 'Tijd en Eeuwigheid. Poëzie in beeld en woord' (Time and Eternity. Poetry in image and word) presented a captivating crossover between the intricate paper art of Annita Smit and new poems from contemporary Dutch poets, including Gershwin Bonevacia, Babs Gons, Marjolijn van Heemstra, Iduna Paalman, and Mustafa Stitou. The core idea revolved around the direct connection between art and the viewer, fostering a 'slow art' experience akin to mindfulness and meditation. Smit's new 3D paper art objects were crafted from ultra-thin, misprinted Bible paper, with some works using discarded songbooks or 'total loss Bibles,' allowing fragments of text to subtly show through. Alongside these new pieces, ten existing works fitting the theme, also made from Bible paper, were displayed. Smit's work is characterized by subtle colors, refinement, and meticulous detail, with each piece appearing as if delicate paper fragments were windblown into place, often playing with optical illusions. The contemporary poems were printed on thin paper and displayed alongside the artworks, creating a dialogue between the visual and the literary. These poets represented a new generation whose work resonates with readers through everyday subjects that feel deeply personal. The exhibition deliberately eschewed traditional labels, titles, or analyses, opting instead for a simple introduction to encourage visitors to engage directly with the art in the monumental spaces, prompting introspection about their own feelings, questions, and insights. The exhibition was a touring production by the Bijbels Museum, with a premiere in The Hague in June 2021, followed by stops at Museum Krona in Uden, Museum Klooster Ter Apel, and CIRCL Amsterdam, exploring the universal theme of 'Time and Eternity' relevant across world religions and philosophies.

Information about ticketing or admission for this specific exhibition is not detailed on this page. Visitors are encouraged to check the general museum information for admission details, as the exhibition was presented in various locations across the Netherlands. A free publication with an essay and poems was available with the exhibition.