Yvon Chabrowski: Let Loose : Verena Kerfin Gallery, Köthener Strasse 28, Berlin 10963
Past
exhibition
Overview
Yvon Chabrowski
Let Loose
The exhibition "Let Loose" presented two key video works by Yvon Chabrowski, focusing on themes of physicality, movement, and the perception of motion sequences. Chabrowski’s work explores the mechanisms of observation, the interplay of proximity and distance, and the processes of being seen. The performers in her videos appear physically present yet remain shielded behind the projection screen—a boundary the audience cannot cross.
Chabrowski’s works subtly reference historical and media traditions. Her exploration of motion recalls the famous chronophotographic studies by Eadweard Muybridge, which dissected the dynamics of the human body into precise, sequential images. However, Chabrowski extends this tradition by addressing the disembodiment of movement in digital contexts and investigating the body as a site of cultural and societal projection.
At the heart of the exhibition is the tension between power and vulnerability. The body is portrayed as a medium through which individual and collective narratives are negotiated. Chabrowski’s works provoke an engagement with the boundary between observer and performer: How close is too close? And how does perception change when the body is not physically present but mediated through a screen?
A highlight of the exhibition was the premiere of the performance "THE GARDEN" by the Russian artist collective zh v yu. In stark contrast to Chabrowski’s videos, where performers maintain a safe distance, the physical presence of the performers in this work was boldly direct. Set in a room filled with lush plants, the performers engaged in deliberate, swaying movements that invoked feminist and cultural interpretations. The audience was confronted with the question of whether strength can be drawn from the experience of vulnerability—a theme that resonates deeply with Chabrowski’s own artistic explorations.
The exhibition "Let Loose" compellingly demonstrated how the body and movement can serve as tools for engaging with cultural, social, and political issues. Chabrowski’s works invite viewers to reflect on the interplay of media, physicality, and perception—an exploration that holds increasing relevance in today’s digitalized world.
Chabrowski’s works subtly reference historical and media traditions. Her exploration of motion recalls the famous chronophotographic studies by Eadweard Muybridge, which dissected the dynamics of the human body into precise, sequential images. However, Chabrowski extends this tradition by addressing the disembodiment of movement in digital contexts and investigating the body as a site of cultural and societal projection.
At the heart of the exhibition is the tension between power and vulnerability. The body is portrayed as a medium through which individual and collective narratives are negotiated. Chabrowski’s works provoke an engagement with the boundary between observer and performer: How close is too close? And how does perception change when the body is not physically present but mediated through a screen?
A highlight of the exhibition was the premiere of the performance "THE GARDEN" by the Russian artist collective zh v yu. In stark contrast to Chabrowski’s videos, where performers maintain a safe distance, the physical presence of the performers in this work was boldly direct. Set in a room filled with lush plants, the performers engaged in deliberate, swaying movements that invoked feminist and cultural interpretations. The audience was confronted with the question of whether strength can be drawn from the experience of vulnerability—a theme that resonates deeply with Chabrowski’s own artistic explorations.
The exhibition "Let Loose" compellingly demonstrated how the body and movement can serve as tools for engaging with cultural, social, and political issues. Chabrowski’s works invite viewers to reflect on the interplay of media, physicality, and perception—an exploration that holds increasing relevance in today’s digitalized world.
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