Niet Normaal Exhibition Questions Normality at Beurs van Berlage

The exhibition 'Niet Normaal' (Not Normal) was held at the Beurs van Berlage cultural center in Amsterdam from December 16, 2009, to March 8, 2010. Curated by Andrée Van Es, the show featured around fifty artworks exploring the concepts of normality and abnormality. The exhibition avoided simplistic glorification of difference, instead critically examining who sets norms and for what purposes. Works included L.A. Raevan's video 'Kelly,' depicting a young woman with anorexia and OCD; Helen Dowling's 'Lissencephaly,' showing a mentally disabled man playing piano; and Julika Rudelius's two-channel video 'Forever,' featuring wealthy older women discussing happiness while revealing their dependence on cosmetic surgery. Other artists included Marc Quinn, Damien Hirst, Douglas Gordon, Thomas Hirschhorn, TJEP, Willem Oorebeek (with 'More ELLE-ELLE' critiquing media influence), and Susie Freeman (with 'Wieg tot Graf' addressing medical lobbying). The exhibition was reviewed by Paul Ardenne.