Rattan Chadha Collection Explores the Soul in Rotterdam

The exhibition 'Trouble in Paradise' at Kunsthal Rotterdam presents the Rattan Chadha collection, focusing on the theme of the soul's journey through reincarnation and modern materialism. Started in 1980 and expanded in 2000, the collection includes works by established international artists like Francis Picabia and Marlene Dumas, alongside emerging Dutch talents such as Marc Bijl and Rafaël Rozendaal. The show is divided into sections: 'La Ricerca dell'Anima' (The Search for the Soul) features sculptures, photographic portraits, and paintings exploring identity, including Candice Breitz's video on Madonna's cultural impact and Marlene Dumas's portrait of Romy Schneider. Another section critiques consumer society, with Grayson Perry's batik-inspired mosaic incorporating brands like IKEA, Marks & Spencer, Tiffany, and Louis Vuitton to depict a materialistic life cycle. Folkert de Jong's plastic harlequin king and Marc Bijl's installation on sexual exhibitionism further comment on spectacle. The 'Eterna Giovinezza' (Eternal Youth) section addresses technology's influence, with Rafaël Rozendaal's 'Random Fear (with Mirrors)' using pixelated colors and mirrors to fragment light and image, evoking Orwell's 1984. The collection reflects Chadha's attention to the artwork itself rather than the artist's name, promoting the Dutch art scene. The exhibition runs until May 26, 2019.