Guido van der Werve: At War with Oneself – An Exhibition of Video and Performance Art

This exhibition features Dutch video and performance artist Guido van der Werve, who confronts visitors with profound explorations of self-experience through intense physical challenges. The show highlights his pursuit of understanding through endurance, the struggle with nature, the passage of time, and the randomness of fate, often framed by classical music references.

Guido van der Werve, a Dutch video and performance artist known for his demanding physical feats, presents a profound exploration of self-experience and existential struggle in this exhibition. His works are characterized by scenarios that test the limits of physical endurance, the battle against one's own nature, the perception of time, and the unpredictable forces of chance. Van der Werve, a classically trained pianist, often anchors his narratives with references to composers like Rachmaninoff and Chopin, creating complex tales that measure the determinants of space and time through sheer physical exertion. These works convey a deep sense of melancholy and grapple with themes of solitude. For this exhibition, van der Werve developed a new publication, 'Nummer vijftien, at war with oneself,' which delves into his recent work from 2008 to 2012, focusing on classical music and sports. The exhibition itself showcases two documented works from this series: the photo series 'Nummer dertien, emotional poverty. Effugio b, portrait of the artist as a mountaineer' (2011), capturing his ascent of Aconcagua, and the award-winning film 'Nummer veertien, home' (2012). The latter documents his 1,700 km triathlon from Warsaw to Paris, retracing Chopin's heart's journey, underscored by a self-composed Requiem. The film's structure, mirroring the triathlon and the musical piece, interweaves episodes from the lives of Frédéric Chopin and Alexander the Great, exploring themes of self-determination, ambition, achievement, isolation, and the potential futility of repetitive endeavors. While deeply personal, van der Werve's work often recedes into the background, allowing the viewer's own emotions and associations to fill the space.

Tickets for the exhibition can be purchased through the provided link to the eventjet shop. General information and ticket details are available on the Secession website.