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THE NEVER ENDING TALKSHOW An EXHIBITION by Jonathan de Regt & Mette Sterre

THE NEVER ENDING TALKSHOW is a performative installation by Jonathan de Regt & Mette Sterre. Masked and dressed mannequins, drawings and photographic works inhabit a space of possibilities in which both artists play with the transformative and elevating power of art.

Jonathan de Regt’s artistic practice ranges from figurative drawings to (drag)performance, often employing humor combined with carefully selected language as a strategic tool to convey a message of positivity and acceptance. Mette Sterre on the other hand is known for her visceral installations and crafted ‘body masks’ she activates by means of enduring performances, merging science fiction and natural elements. Their mutual interest in costume-making and dress-up was the initial point of departure for their collaboration and while their practices and humor are complimentary, their personal styles and signatures remain distinct. Throughout the creative process, they began every working day with a communal drawing session before plotting their exhibition plans

If you want to purchase an item, please send an email to: sarah@outsiderland.nl or visit our space.

For the exhibition, the duo has developed the set of a televised talk show.

Their idea of ‘talk show’ derives from the traditional American TV talk shows such as Jerry Springer and Ellen DeGeneres. There, characters are often crafted for their show-factor, playing pretend for the sole purpose of our entertainment. Even the ones playing themselves take on certain roles, enhancing their personal traits before being rolled out in front of a well-lit, set-designed backdrop. In a similar fashion, De Regt and Sterre have taken the role of stylists, scriptwriters and set-designers at the same time. They created persona’s that interact within a talk show scenery, brilliantly combining aspects of discursivity (the ‘talk’), with performativity (the ‘show’). In the mise-en-scene they directed, two protagonists, an interviewer and an interviewee, are endlessly conversing in front of a masked audience. Visitors are invited to take a seat in front of the camera, side by side with the mannequins. The artists give their audience the opportunity to host their own live show and become an integral part of a performance with an open-ended script. What do you want to talk about?

Masker siliconen rood met hoorns, 4000 EURO
Masker siliconen blauw/groen 4000 EURO

When I first interviewed De Regt and Sterre they shared their concerns about the increasing depression and widespread feeling of loneliness, especially amongst the younger generations. In a way, care and vulnerability play a central role in the work they have put together for No Limits! Art Castle.

Pruikentrui 175 EURO, JeansPAK 150 EURO

Visitors step into an installation that gradually shifts from darkness to light, by literally playing with light and shadow effects, but also by slowly uplifting the mood in the exhibited works. De Regt and Sterre attempt here to convey here a message of hope, a plea for happiness in these uncertain times. Their talk show might eventually become a safe space where one can put their guard down and talk it all out.

Maskers op karton, 350 EURO

Although they may refuse to label themselves as such, de Regt and Sterre’s The Never Ending Talkshow truly has a queer and activist character. Their show is a gentle reminder about the importance of welcoming and accepting the fluidity of one’s ever-changing self. As 12-time Emmy Awards winner, Queen of Drag and mother-of-all RuPaul puts it, “If you can't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?”. (Tekst: Henri J. Sandront)

TEETH / pc 75 EURO
Trui 'bla bla bla' 100 EURO
Trui 'dance bitch' 100 EURO
Trui 'olifant oioioi' 100 EURO
Trui 'abstract met vogel' 100 EURO
Trui 'slang en vingers' 100 EURO