Mark Manders; Kaleidoscope Night and ROMA Publications

Manders is fascinated by the fact that an object outside our body can influence our thinking. That is why he has been working on what he calls ‘self-portrait as a building’ since 1986. This self-portrait consists of his sculptures, for which he combines existing and self-made objects. On large drawn floor plans, he gives these sculptures a fictional home, in which he makes his memories and desires public and can arrange them in a poetic manner.

In the Quist wing, 5 sculptures are installed that are part of his ‘self-portrait as a building’. The 2 floor plans presented reveal something of the artist’s thinking. The titles are also important, says Manders. ‘I use the titles bring the observer closer to me.’

Concurrently, there is a presentation of Roma Publications, an initiative of Manders and graphic designer Roger Willems. The print room hosts a presentation with a complete overview of all the publications realized to date. Every issue has a different appearance that corresponds to the content: from advertising newspaper to an exclusive book. The exhibition gives an idea of the ‘ROMA mentality’ with which the duo give shape to their projects and of the many collaborations they undertake with artists and institutions.

The print room includes wall-sized photographic prints by artist Batia Suter, a painting by Kees Goudzwaard and a drawing by Marc Nagtzaam. Through headphones, an electronic voice can be heard which reads from Mark Manders’ collection of poems ‘Ornament met brandpunten’ (Ornament with focal points).

On the occasion of the exhibition, ROMA Publications publishes a number of new editions, including ‘Open Days’ with work by various poets and artists compiled by Marije Langelaar. The publication can be seen as a small, portable exhibition within the architecture of a book.