Visual artist, curator, book editor and writer.
Based in Amsterdam (NL)
Delphine Bedel is Associated Professor at the Master Programme Dutch Art Institute (NL), and at The University of Art and Design/HEAD in Geneva (CH), where she runs tow course on artits book publishing . She is regularly lecturing on her work and curatorial practice, and her work has been exhibited internationally. Considering art as an alternative form of knowledge production, her research-oriented artistic and curatorial projects explore different formats and contexts. Her work focuses on the architecture of leisure and tourism, and reflects upon urban transformations, cultural heritage and representations, and history. By organizing events in collaboration with various art institutions, theses topics are being investigated more in depth through series of exhibitions, screenings, lectures and round tables.
Recent solo and group exhibitions
include ‘From the Sidelines’ Stedelik Museum De Lakenhaal, Leiden; ‘Reality Check, Notes on Tourism’ Galerie Lumen Travo Amsterdam; ‘Micronation, Notes on Tourism’ Het Torentje, Almelo; ‘Nederland 1′ Museum Gouda; ‘Non Places- Everywhere/ Nowhere’ 66 East-Center for Urban Culture, Amsterdam; ‘Disobedience’ Play Gallery/Bethanien, Berlin; ‘Das Experiment’ Secession, Vienna.
Curatorial Projects
Bedel has been curating and producing exhibitions and film programmes since 1994. Recent projects include the exhibition and film programmes ‘Beyond Paradise’, Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam (2008), ‘The Experience of Atopia’, Lokaal01 / Breda Photo (2008) ‘Shared History / Decolonising the Image’ at W139 and Arti & Amicitiae, Amsterdam (2006). ‘ ‘Publishing as Performance’ at Casco, Utrecht (2009) reflects upon the intricate relation of printed matter and performance. She was a founding member and artistic director of the project space Etablissement d’en Face in Brussels (1994-98).
Writer and Editor
Delphine Bedel has also been contributing to various publications, among others ‘Multitudes-Icones’ (Documenta XII Magazine, Kassel/Multitudes magazine 2007); ‘Another Publication’ (Revolver, 2007), ’93 Dutch Beauties’ (Veenman Publishers, 2007). She is editor and author of the artist book ‘All that is solid melts into Air-Notes on Tourism’ (episode publishers 2008).Bedel is also editing the upcoming new collection of the Publications Project, a series of artist books published by the Dutch art Institute, as well as ‘Lab.zone editions, published by The Genva University of Art and Design. Both rpojects are distributed by Monospace Press.
Current Projects
Bedel has been investigating historical, popular or controversial touristic destinations over the last years, from famous roads, holidays resorts, camping sites to amusement parks. Commissioned by SKOR to develop a new project in Drenthe, Delphine Bedel is preparing a new public work for the route N34, an historical route that crosses the whole region.
Her last work, ‘From the Sidelines’ was commissionned In the frame of the commemoration of the 400 years’ relation between The Netherlands and America. Delphine Bedel has crossed the United States from Chicago to Los Angeles on the mythical Route 66 earlier this year. Her series of documentary photographs were presented this summer in the Stedelijk Museum de Lakenhaal in Leiden (who commissioned the project). A publication on this project, with a text contribution by Rachel Esner, will be released in 2010.