'Playing with Christmas' - 2018
In the winter period, the Grote or Pancratiuskerk in Emmen organizes exhibitionbs that are linked to the religious tradition. The inspiration square commission - in search of the nuances in a (birth) story - Bart Drost invited to make an exhibition during Christmas time.
The show was open under the title 'Playing with Christmas' on 29/11/2018 - 6/02/2019 on Wed, Thu, Sat 13-17.
From the accompanying booklet 'Hurray, a boy!' :
"... exhibiting in a church building is not strange to me. I have often searched and found churches and churches from myself to show my work there. I prefer to work with just that specific space in mind. Then it becomes a sort of 'total spectacle'. Because using a church as a gallery is something I've found. If you want to do something with art, then make sure that it has to do with the spirit of the place.
I have something with church buildings. But whether I also have something with faith? Doubtless! Even if only by the fact that I was Roman Catholic baptized, I did the first communion and spent many hours in my Sunday in church services. I remember the place where we, our family, were sitting: in the right side aisle overlooking a pièta. That image promptly stood for a bronze 'leaf-blind'.
Another thing: when I was a little boy, I wanted to become an altar boy. Our chaplain in Venlo thought it necessary for me to memorize the Latin texts associated with the Mass. I did not manage that. I did not get anything from 'other beliefs' at all.
I have reacted cautiously to the question of making an exhibition on the occasion of the Christmas season in particular. Why celebrate the birth of someone whom we know is being murdered in such a gruesome 33 years later? Then prefer Easter. Because say it yourself: getting up from the dead, that is the better work! "