From 30 September till 11 October 2020, BAK, basis voor actuele kunst, Utrecht hosts If Not Now, the graduation exhibition of the 2018−2020 MA Fine Art class of HKU University of the Arts Utrecht, which is curated by Katia Krupennikova. The preview takes place on Wednesday, 30 September 2020, from 13.00 till 17.00 hrs.

If Not Now features works by the graduates of the 2018−2020 MA Fine Art class of HKU University of the Arts Utrecht: Isshaq Al-Barbary, Charli Herrington, Carina Jansen, Bennet Edwin Kruit, Sinwah Lai, Sol Enae Lee, Winston Nanlohy, Gerardo Gomez Tonda, Gizem Üstüner, M.C. Julie Yu, and Jinxiao Zhou.

The Covid-19 lockdown caught the graduates in the final semester of their studies, and forcefully relocated everyone from classrooms, workshops, and studios to their homes. Characterized by a radical disruption of life caused by the pandemic, the exhibition If Not Now addresses the urgent need for structural revisions of the paradigms—geographical, political, institutional, social, linguistic, humanistic—that form the foundations of the contemporary world.

An abrupt confrontation with increasing precarity, growing uncertainty, and technologically mediated education has sharpened a sense of urgency to rearticulate the role of art in the face of such crises—in particular art’s promise of the future. Refusing to partake in the modern utopia and illusion of “outsourcing” solutions for current problems into an unknown future, the artists in this exhibition pave the way for inquiring how to act in the now. If Not Now starts from the multitude of challenges that confront the present and that affect the very possibility of survival—as artists, as students, as humans: from inflexible institutional and legal infrastructures that underpin contemporary education, to housing struggles, to financial and job insecurity, to the seemingly immovable power of the academy, and to inapt curricula that struggle to find connection to what is happening in the world.

Coming from a strong awareness of their positions—simultaneously precarious and privileged, and humbled by the current situation, the artists in this show are determined to make an impact, to insist on a redefinition of norms. Without delay, they struggle to actualize the world they want to live in, not putting up with rules and relations that are imposed on them by institutions and the logic of capital. The works in this exhibition call for urgent structural, social transformation. If not now, then when?

As part of If Not Now, students and graduates of the HKU MA Fine Art program organize a live radio program, hosted by Stranded FM, that includes audio tours of the exhibition, as well as conversations with, and contributions by the artists and guests. Tune in and listen to personal stories and experiences of struggle, artistic production processes, dreams and nightmares, and to catch a glimpse of experiences and sound bites from the semester-long program Sonic Archival Practices (part of HKU MA Fine Art, year 1).

The exhibition is accompanied by a performance program. For detailed information about the performances, the schedule, and how to join, please visit: www.hku.nl/masters/fineart (News and Events).

Here, you can book your spots for the preview day on 30 September, and for the performance program. You can freely visit the exhibition during opening hours*, but registration for the preview day and the performance program, is required!

View the full program here, check out the dates & times below, and book the ticket for your preferred performance:

Wed, 30 September 2020

13.00–14.45 hrs Exhibition preview, with word of welcome by Maria Hlavajova and introduction by Annette Kraus and Katia Krupennikova (doors open 12.45 hrs)

15.15–17.00 hrs Exhibition preview, with word of welcome by Maria Hlavajova and introduction by Annette Kraus and Falke Pisano

Thu, 1 October 2020

15.00 Winston Nanlohy, Cloud Excursions, 2020, performative presentation, 25’.

16.00 Sinwah Lai, Things happen in my house, performance, 20’.

Fri, 2 October 2020

15.00 Winston Nanlohy, Cloud Excursions, 2020, performative presentation, 25’.

16.00 Gerardo Gomez Tonda, Origin Stories, 2020, workshop-performance 45’.

Sat, 3 October 2020

14.00 Gizem Üstüner, Dish-Washing, 2020, performance, 15’.

15.00 M.C. Julie Yu, Travelogues with Prompts, 2020, performance, 50’.

16.00 Sinwah Lai, Things happen in my house, performance, 20’.

17.00 Winston Nanlohy, Cloud Excursions, performative presentation, 25’.

Sun, 4 October 2020

14.00 Gizem Üstüner, Dish-Washing, 2020, performance, 15’.

16.00 Gerardo Gomez Tonda, Origin Stories, 2020, workshop-performance, 45’.

18.00 Isshaq Al-Barbary, (consenting to remain onbekend), 2020, performance, 25’.

Tue, 6 October 2020 (online)

19.00 Charli Herrington, conditions of togetherness (our work on care), 2020, online event, approx. 60’. Video documentation of the live stream will be available till 13 October 2020 at https://www.twitch.tv/charliherr/videos. Please make a reservation: charli.herrington@gmail.com

Wed, 7 October 2020

16.00 Sinwah Lai, Things happen in my house, performance, 20’.

17.00 Gerardo Gomez Tonda, Origin Stories, 2020, workshop-performance, 45’.

Thu, 8 October 2020

15.00 Winston Nanlohy, Cloud Excursions, 2020, performative presentation, 25’.

16.30 Mutual Support Platform: Experiences, challenges and future plans. Discussion re-volving around academic restraints, support and peer exchange. Participants: initiators, (future) participants and invited guests, 2hrs.

Fri, 9 October 2020

14.00 Gizem Üstüner, Dish-Washing, 2020, performance, 15’. (note: newly added 18/9)

15.00 Winston Nanlohy, Cloud Excursions, 2020, performative presentation, 25’.

16.00 M.C. Julie Yu, Travelogues with Prompts, 2020, performance, 50’.

Sat, 10 October 2020

14.00 Gizem Üstüner, Dish-Washing, 2020, performance, 15’.

15.00 Winston Nanlohy, Cloud Excursions, 2020, performative presentation, 25’.

16.00 Gerardo Gomez Tonda, Origin Stories, 2020, workshop-performance 45’.

17.00 Zhou Jinxiao, The Art of Loving Jinxiao, 2020, performance on-site and online, 25’.

18.00 Zhou Jinxiao, The Art of Loving Jinxiao, 2020, performance and Q&A on site and online, 50’.

Sun, 11 October 2020

11.00 If Not Now, radio program hosted by Stranded FM (ongoing till 17.00 hrs).

17.30 Zhou Jinxiao, The Art of Loving Jinxiao, 2020, performance and discussion on-site and online, 90’.

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*Please note: The exhibition is freely accessible during opening hours without pre-registration, but the max capacity in the exhibition space is somewhat limited when performances are taking place. Moreover on 7 October 17-19 hrs, the exhibition space is closed for visitors, with the exception of those who booked for the performance by Gerardo Gomez Tonda.

Covid-19 regulations (please read)

For the preview on 30 September: if you are attending as one household, you can include multiple tickets in one booking. If you are attending as separate households, please book your tickets individually. This is so we can ensure Corona-proof seating arrangements in advance.

To ensure the safety of our visitors and staff on location, BAK has prepared a number of Covid-19 guidelines, including hygiene, keeping 1.5 meters distance at all times, sticking to your allocated seating, following staff instructions, and more. A full list of guidelines will be sent to you via e-mail in advance. If you book tickets for an event at BAK, you agree to respect these guidelines, and we hope you join our effort in creating a safe environment for yourself and all those present!