In the shadow of metal tanks, almost hidden, an accordion player welcomes the arrivals to the harbour district. While there is nothing to suggest that the seated street musician is begging, the visitors' gaze will be drawn down to the floor along the checked pattern on his shirt, intuitively searching for a cap or a handwritten sign. In front of the opening of a mysterious-looking corrugated iron tunnel, he becomes the augury of an exhibition that confronts its visitors with prejudices, hopes and disappointed expectations. The evident conclusion must be that this exhibition will hardly see much of the world of privileged art collectors that could be discovered at the 2009 Biennale.
In this performance everyone becomes aware of his double role of actor and voyeur, because sharing the common destiny of the moment, the one and the many stage the mental and social sphere of experience as a surreal scenario.
Gabrielle Schaad
Elmgreen & Dragset – The One & The Many (2011). Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. Photos: Tot en met ontwerpen.