Koenraad Dedobbeleer: Emi e dames messeur

Koenraad Dedobbeleer is a multifaceted artist whose practice uses sculpture, collage, painting and conceptualism to confront issues around history and western culture. In addition, Dedobbeleer works as a teacher, curator and set designer, and all of these elements come into play in his layered body of work. While some of his artwork and installations can have a light-hearted or slightly humorous appeal, through elongated or bulbous forms, the use of living elements like plants or fruit, colour or materials, it is exacting and insightful, showing the fragility of humanity and the façade of appearances.

His current exhibition, “Emi e dames messeur”, is on view at La Verrière – Fondation d’entreprise Hermès, in Brussels, through April 27. Curated by Joel Riff, who joined La Verrière in 2023 as the director of exhibitions, the exhibition presents a dozen newly framed photographs as well as a colourful glass chandelier, furniture and other sculptures, along with a selection of works in his private art collection. The scenography is defined by a large green folding screen, part of an earlier piece by the artist titled, “Instability and Relativity of Peoples’ Perceptions”, and which here is expanded upon, nearly the double of its former size, and used as a backdrop, wall, and support. “The artist and his family use these walls to make domestic displays at home and the exhibition shows the way he plays with infinite associations that come from their kitchen’s everyday use,” explains Riff. Dedobbeleer has often referred to his work as ‘living sculptures’ pieces that mix past and present, personal and material elements to create something new yet filled with history.  Mixed within and around his own sculptures are pieces  by Sophie Tauber Arp, Alexandre de Wemmel, Martin Munkácsi, Valérie Mannaerts, Albrecht Dürer and Roger Capron among many others.

The title of the exhibition itself reflects Dedobbeleer’s, play of words and sampling of materials. He saw the words ‘Emi e dames messeur’ on a sign that he passes regularly while walking in Brussels and he was amused and intrigued by its meaninglessness as well as its reality. As Riff explains, “The title has no direct meaning. But it exists as it is, somewhere in a street in Brussels. It is absurd, there is an obvious reference to Belgian Surrealism, but also an invitation to consider letters before words before sentence. Let’s see before reading. In Belgium, languages are a strong political statement. It was important to respect this situation, and with Dedobbeleer’s exhibition, we decided not to choose between French, Dutch or German.”

As the curator, Riff was also interested in showing the relationship of an artist within his community. In this way, he presents an exhibition that engages viewers in a personal way, bringing them into a larger conversation between the art and the artist, allowing them to see a more experimental and intimate side to their work.

Koenraad Dedobbeleer: “Emi e dames messeur” is on view through April 27, 2024.

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