'Over and over and over' we become

‘Over and over and over’ we become is a group exhibition exploring the humanature relationships as synergetic, interdependent and crafted through the process of making as well as language. It encourages the viewer to reimagine ways of relating. The SEA Foundation is presenting the work of artists in residence Kristine White and Alberto Maggini, together with the artwork of Cecilia Casabona, an Italian artist based in the Netherlands who was invited to join the exhibition.

Reimagining in relating and repetition

All three artists propose the work which spans from their interest in finding the relation between human and non-human. ‘Over and over and over’ is a passage borrowed from a text written by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, a Mississauga Nishnaabeg writer, who explains that many stories have already been told and therefore, the new erupts in repetition; if we are willing to tune in. 

Canadian artist in residence, Kristine White, refers to Three Ecologies (1989) written by Félix Guattari who expands the notion of ecology from environmental to social and mental. Because the latter two are also prone to degradation, they must be taken care of as part of the environment. Kristine White wants to emphasise the three relational ecologies through the process of making. For the exhibition at SEA Foundation, she creates 3 textile banners. These are embroidered with symbols manifesting each ecology and they are repeating through her drawings too. 

Italian artist in residence, Alberto Maggini, reimagines the process of relating through the metamorphosis of woman and lizard species. To achieve this process of transformation and to explore identity-making, Maggini is recreating traditional Italian items and symbols of desire and femininity such as tablecloths and laces. Moreover, he is incorporating the botanical knowledge acquired during his studies of natural sciences. However, in his artworks, Alberto Maggini does not categorise the plant beings but reframes the human beings instead – as becoming part of an extending Earthly body.

Lastly, Italian interdisciplinary research designer, Cecilia Casabona, is interested in rethinking the way humans (co)habit the world – even with critters other than themselves. The work she is showing at SEA Foundation is a short film called How a plant comes to plant (2021). The film incorporates the methods of participatory performance and mediates a relation between an artist and a houseplant. The plant that is originating from Tanzania was named by a German botanist and now it can be purchased in almost any Dutch supermarket. Cecilia Casabona is figuring out the origin of her name and the name of her plant and how these categorise them. She asks questions such as What effect does a name have on perceiving the other? And therefore, she studies the act of relating which she learns and unlearns over and over and over.

Exhibition dates: 25.03. - 07.05.2023

Artist: Kristine White, Alberto Maggini, Cecilia Casabona

Venue: SEA Foundation, Tivolistraat 22, 5017HP Tilburg

Opening Hours: the vitrine is open 24/7, the front room is open Thursday - Saturday 1-5 pm or by an appointment

Read the curatorial text here: https://www.seafoundation.eu/kristine_white_alberto_maggini_cecilia_casabona_reimagining_exhibition/

SEA Foundation

Artist-led SEA Foundation is a non-profit art initiative. To fulfil our mission; To create awareness for contemporary art and to build cultural resilience, we act as a catalyst in the working lives of artists. In all our activities we are fuelled by visual arts. Through exchanges and working in different cultural contexts SEA Foundation is part of international networks, where we generate and take part in discussions on eminent issues. Over time, SEA Foundation has become a synonym for exhibitions, art practice support, exchanges, and publications. Since 2013, we also run an International Artist in Residence program that offers a unique environment, by providing time and space for research, experimentation, and professional advancement.