Sonsbeek 2008: Grandeur
14 June – 21 September 2008, Park Sonsbeek, Arnhem
Inleiding
For the tenth edition of Sonsbeek, art critic and curator Anna Tilroe took the lead. With her exhibition Grandeur, she focused on the role of art in 21st-century Western society. Tilroe observed a time of significant change: politics, the economy, climate, and communication all influence daily life, while simultaneously, the human drive for grandeur seemed diminished. Where art in the 20th century dared to impress and disrupt, it now appeared to primarily serve consumption and observation.
The theme Grandeur, literally meaning “greatness,” was interpreted by Tilroe as the desire for something beyond the ordinary—a ambition she believed artists should ignite. In this way, art assumes a societal responsibility: it must impress again, challenge, and inspire.
Before the opening of Sonsbeek 2008, a remarkable procession took place through the streets of Arnhem. More than a thousand participants walked in groups, like modern guilds, carrying artworks or parts of them on their hands. The parade left a profound impression on the city and set the tone for what was to come.
After the procession, 28 artworks—mainly installations—were placed in Park Sonsbeek. In this way, Sonsbeek 2008 demonstrated how art, society, and the pursuit of grandeur converge: in a layered exhibition that is both visually and conceptually engaging, simultaneously challenging and inviting.
Artists
- Eylem Aladogan
- El Anatsui
- Willem Boshoff
- Fernando Sánchez Castillo
- Brody Condon
- Johan Creten
- Michel François
- Thom Houseago
- Hans van Houwelingen
- Rini Hurkmans
- Mella Jaarsma & Nindityo Adipurnomo
- Yasue Maetake
- Matthew Monahan
- Serge Onnen
- Jean-Michel Othoniel
- Rona Pondick
- Charlie Roberts
- Tomás Saraceno
- Lara Schnitger
- Alain Séchas
- Johan Simons
- Jörg Steiner & Gerda Lenzlinger
- Joseph Sumégné
- Ana Maria Tavares
- Marijke van Warmerdam
- Stephen Wilks
Location
- Park Sonsbeek
Facts and figures
115,000 visits · 25,000 visitors procession · 28 artists · jubilee edition (10th Sonsbeek)
Publication
— Catalog: Sonsbeek 2008: Grandeur, 2008 · Design: Cornel Bierens & Peter van Klingeren/Criterium · Publisher: Thieme Art
