To See the Inability to See Unfolds Book into Exhibition at de Appel
In 2019, a group called To See the Inability to See was formed at de Appel's Archief. They've since turned their innovative, foldable book/object, titled "My Garden's Boundaries Are the Horizon: A Porous Reader to Unguard the Garden," into an exhibition at de Appel in Amsterdam. Partnering with designer Elisabeth Klement, the book explores how bodies interact with books and challenges conventional ways of archiving. The exhibition features a flexible setup that includes the book, art from collective members like Arefeh Riahi and Kader Attia, historical pieces, and contributions from other artists. It draws on themes from traditional Iranian architecture, inspired by the 2022 women-led protests in Iran. A public program includes film screenings and discussions with various artists, organized with Kriterion.
Key facts
- To See the Inability to See formed in 2019 at de Appels Archief.
- The collective developed a foldable multidirectional book/object titled 'My Garden’s Boundaries Are the Horizon: A Porous Reader to Unguard the Garden' in 2022-2023.
- The book was designed in collaboration with Elisabeth Klement.
- The exhibition 'My Garden’s Boundaries Are the Horizon' unfolds the book into a spatial repertoire at de Appel.
- The exhibition includes works by Arefeh Riahi, Martín La Roche Contreras, Maartje Fliervoet, Kader Attia, Kasra Jalilipour, and Seba Calfuqueo.
- The collective drew inspiration from the Persian Fin Garden in Kashan and the hashti vestibule.
- The women-led uprising in Iran in 2022 influenced the book's content through exchanged letters.
- The title is a quote from Derek Jarman referring to his fenceless garden in Dungeness.
- A public program includes screenings and talks with various artists and collectives, organized with Kriterion.
Entities
Artists
- To See the Inability to See
- Elisabeth Klement
- Arefeh Riahi
- Martín La Roche Contreras
- Maartje Fliervoet
- Kader Attia
- Kasra Jalilipour
- Seba Calfuqueo
- Derek Jarman
- Marcela Moraga
- dash (-) collective
- Constanza Mendoza
- Giles Bailey
- Lara Khaldi
- Francisca Khamis Giacoman
Institutions
- de Appel
- de Appels Archief
- Kriterion
Locations
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Kashan
- Iran
- Dungeness
- United Kingdom