exhibition:

Pret Park

Lightness week 11: A hyper-real artistic spectacle

7 Jul 2014

13 Jul 2014

Mediamatic Fabriek
VOC–kade 10, 1018 LG Amsterdam
Mediamatic Foundation
+31206389901
http://www.mediamatic.net/

Welcome to PRET PARK!
From July 8 – 13 Pret Park (amusement park) collectively investigates the possibilities and impossibilities of the artistic spectacle. Pret Park directly addresses a cultural sector where entertainment and sensationalism are becoming compulsory. The program involves workshops, artist talks, performances, a screening, and a public debate. Artists are invited to create ‘attractions’ instead of installations, where the spectator is not just a passive viewer, but becomes part of the spectacle itself. Prepare to be amazed.

Your Mediamatic Membership is your entrance ticket for the whole Pret Park week, plus more. Click on the top left corner to register and pay 5 euro for the 9 week membership.*

Pret Park logo - logo for Pret Park

Anja Groten, Selby Gildemacher, Yasser Ballemans, Hannes Bernard, Jaroslav Toussaint, James Cauty, Helmut Dick, Frank Koolen, Roel Nabuurs, Stefan Schäfer, Maartje Smits, Yuri Veerman, Jurgen Bey, Theo Tegelaers, nina folkersma, Christoph Scherbaum, Pam Toonen, Vladimír Turner, Willem van Amerom, Tessel Brühl, Jeffrey Babcock, Teun Castelein

While funding for art is becoming more and more scarce, arguments for public funding are based on visitor statistics and ‘public reach’. We have grown accustomed to a public discourse where attention is the only measure of quality. Using the amusement park as a method, Pret Park questions the ‘lightness’ of the spectacle while acknowledging its possibilities.

Pret Park provides a sensational stage for the artists: Yasser Ballemans, Hannes Bernard, Tessel Brühl & Jaroslav Toussaint, James Cauty, Helmut Dick, Frank Koolen, Roel Nabuurs & Willem van Amerom, Stefan Schäfer, Christoph Scherbaum & Pam Toonen, Maartje Smits, Vladimîr Turner, and Yuri Veerman.

They transform Pret Park into a hyper-real landscape in which visitors get scared, amazed, lost, energized, disappointed, moved, curious,and confused. It offers an experience of intensified reality and interacts with its audience in unthinkable ways.

Pret Park is initiated and curated by Selby Gildemacher, Anja Groten and Ruben Pater

Pret Park works - collection of images for Pret Park

Programme:

Tuesday July 8, 15:00–18:00

PRET PARK WORKSHOP & PRESENTATION:
Horror Selfies and Shameless Mascots

Join us for an afternoon of intensified reality. Stefan Schäfer will elaborate on his Selfie Horror Cabinet, which is exhibited at Pret Park. Tessel Brühl and Jaroslav Toussaint invite to join their mascot DIY workshop... Become a mascot for your individual purpose! And don't forget your selfie-phones!

Thursday July 10, 17:00-19:00

OPENING THE AFTERMATH DISLOCATION PRINCIPLE
See website of Mediamatic for more information

Thursday July 10, 20:00–21:30

PRET PARK DEBATE
Stakeholders, artists and curators go into discussion about the possibilities and impossibilities of the artistic spectacle.

Debating: Jurgen Bey, Theo Tegelaers, Nina Folkersma, Maartje Smits, Yuri Veerman, Teun Castelein, Willem Velthoven and more. Make sure you come a bit earlier to have a look at the exhibition! https://www.facebook.com/events/251431588382934/

Friday July 11, 18:00–20:00

PRET PARK PRESENTATIONS
Spectacular artist talks and jaw-dropping sound performance
Come and meet three of our participating artists! Vladimir Turner, artist and activist from Prague and Helmut Dick, Amsterdam based artist will talk about their work in the context of the exhibition theme: Art as spectacle; followed by a live sound performance by German composer Christoph Scherbaum. https://www.facebook.com/events/244763312387052/

Friday July 11, 21:00–23:30

PRET PARK CINEMA
Jeffrey Babcock is going to curate the friday night of PRET PARK accompanied by Snacks of Horror served by Insectenbar. Be aware: Jeffrey’s will screen Punishment Park, a film, which certainly challenges the spectator!

Saturday and Sunday July 12th – 13th, 13:00 - 18:00

PRETPARK WEEKEND
Come and see hyperreal Pret Park attractions, and a program full of nerve-wracking performances!

The completed Pret Park is open and ready for enjoyment during the weekend from 13.00-18.00. Our Pret Park mascot will welcome you in a hyper huggable manner, all attractions are open and accessible for public. Get captivated by Maartje Smits and take a ride on Frank Koolen's Blindfold Roller Coaster and purchase Stardust at Yuri Veermans Stardust Machine. Hannes Bernard will give us an introduction in sampling 3 utilitarian beverages to enhance, relax or strengthen your life at his Pure Functions drink bar. Join also his presentation on food beyond necessity on Sunday at 13:00 and try one of our fully functional beverages:

BOOSTER - a seratonin-boosting all-body energizer.
SNOOZER - a relaxing blend of psychoactive herbs and nootropic smart drugs for total mental burnout.
BUILDER - a muscle-bulging powerhouse blend to expand your body

Insectenbar will serve their Snacks of Horror during the whole weekend.

Bring your friends, bring your kids. See you at Pret Park.

Join the events on https://www.facebook.com/pretparkamsterdam

Lightness

In an age where everyone is affected by the weight of society, the overbearing fears of the economy and the heavy hand of government, 'lightness' is the way forward. Let go of the material and celebrate the ethereal with 11 weeks of 'lightness'. Each week Mediamatic invites a new artist to question the meaning of 'lightness'.

Membership information

You become a member by registering on the web site and pay 5euro for two months (9weeks). The membership gives free admission to events and discount on drinks. We will also send you mailings about our program unless you opt out of that service.
You can Facebook connect or just make a local account. It is not necessary to reveal your identity if you do not like that.