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Artists

Guest Artists

RIK SMITS

DEN HAAG, 1982

Artist’s Statement

My work shows the contrast between religion and capitalism, which is depicted in a scenery of architectural landscapes. These landscapes show the contours of an imaginary city. A city which breathes the human ambition towards power and status. It’s large scale buildings reminds us of the industrial utopia’s which prevailed in the human mind, but failed to shine or provide peace and humanity in the real world. The most prominent facet of this city is perhaps its appearance, from which one can easily read that the main ideology of its inhabitants is capitalism. But this ideology has gained religious proportions.The city shows the self confidence of an utopia but also the emptiness of a deserted ruin.

The over towering Art Deco skyscrapers stand proud like medieval cathedrals, their decoration reminds us of the rich symbolism of the early Christian art, with all its references to spiritual suppression and revelation.The skyscrapers cast their shadow over desolate and damaged monuments which represent the lost moral standards and values of humanity, which have been exchanged for the never-ending spiritual search for capitalist redemption, which provides us with the luxury and convenience of modern day life.

In my work I try to create a parallel with our modern society. In which I believe capitalism has become a religion itself. And even in a way that people see it as a redeemer. My drawings show this concept not necessarily as a critique but rather to relativize and registrate a cultural phenomenon in an artistic manner.

01_-_theme_park_-_potlood_op_papier__100_x_150_cm__2010_
02_-_laureola_boulevard_-potlood_op_papier__100_x_150_cm__2011_
20_-_monument_avenue_from_above__potlood_op_papier__50_x_70_cm__2010_kopie
05_-_theme_park_2__potlood_op_papier__100_x_150_cm__2011_
01_-_the_scorpodian_international_tower__pencil_on_paper__50_x_70_cm__2010_
05_-_poncirius_avenue_by_night__graphite_pencil_on_paper__21_x_29_cm__2010_
10_-_the_meretta_east_side_hotel__pencil_on_paper__50_x_70_cm__2011_
12_-_the_everest_hotel__scorpoda__graphite_pencil_on_paper__21_x_29_cm__2010_
07_-_west_scorpoda_bombed__potlood_op_papier__21_x_29_cm__2010_
21_our_first_skyscraper__scorpoda_21_x_29_cm__graphite_pencil_on_paper_2010__available
15_greetings_from_scorpoda_21_x_29_cm_2010__graphite_pencil_on_paper__sold
03_-_the_colossus_building_in_the_sky__potlood_op_papier__100_x_150_cm__2011_
11-the-temple-of-numa-caught-on-fire_-grafietpotlood-op-papier-21-x-29-cm-_2010_03
04_-_griffion_bay__potlood_op_papier__100_x_150_cm__2011_
18_-_the_salvation_bridge__graphite_pencil_on_paper__50_x_70_cm__2010_
16_-_wooden_church__graphite_pencil_on_paper__50_x_70_cm__2010_
13_-_panorama_of_scorpoda__graphite_pencil_on_paper__50_x_70_cm__2010_
10_-_north_scorpodian_harbor__graphite_pencil_on_paper__21_x_29_cm__2010_
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