For this project, Diona Kraal and Roger Cremers were inspired by 17th-century tapestries, Napoleon's field tent and the raree show or peep box. The tent is constructed from jacquard-woven fabrics in a classic house shape, with various openings and peepholes, and a colourful landscape woven on the inside of the tent using historical weaves, materials and colours. The tent thus becomes a means to look at ourselves in an enchanting world of plants, animals and celestial bodies.
‘Perpetual Light’ was shown in late 2023 in the exhibition Of Gaia and Ouranos at Looiersgracht 60 in Amsterdam, where Doina Kraal and Roger Cremers were previously artists-in-residence. Both artists have a passion for objects with a history. For this project, they were inspired by 17th-century tapestries, Napoleon’s field tent and the raree show or peep box. The tent is constructed from jacquard-woven fabrics in a classic house shape, with various openings and peepholes. A colourful landscape was woven on the inside of the tent using historical weaves, materials and colours. By allowing the thicker weft threads to float on the other of the fabric, only the indistinct outlines of this landscape can be seen on the outside of the tent. The roof panel depicts a starry sky, on which mysterious flying objects from the past and present were embroidered elsewhere in the lab. While the viewer observes the work, he or she is also observed through the peepholes. The tent thus becomes a means to look at ourselves in an enchanting world of plants, animals and celestial bodies.
Since 2022 Doina Kraal and Roger Cremers have been working together as an artist duo. They share a deep appreciation for stories and objects with a history. Their work reactivates the sensory experience that lies dormant in archives, collections and even old music and translates that experience into multi-sensory installations.
'Of Gaia and Ouranos', Looiersgracht 60, Amsterdam, 26 November – 22 December 2023
