4K video, 16min, Film Still

Commissioned by Stroom for the exhibition ‘De Dingen’ - The things. Curated by Lua Vollaard.

Amsterdam Mouse Museum restages an inaccessible object, Tacita Dean’s 2011 Manhattan Mouse Museum. Dean’s 16mm film, only exhibited in strict viewing conditions and unavailable online, takes a glimpse into the world of artist Claes Oldenburg as he tends to an assembly of small rarities, objects and artworks.

This project was triggered by an out of body experience in which I recognised myself in an image of a tall older gentelman, Claes Oldenburg, softly tending to certain types of objects which would usually not be given much attention. Basing my ‘re-imagined’ version on a few still images and vague descritptions of Manhattan Mouse Museum, I aimed to channel the tender and intimate attention Claes Oldenburg exhibited towards his objects by interacting with my own personal collection of curiosities.

The grainy textures of the original 16mm film have been replaced by cripsy shiny 4k resolution, enhancing the plasticity of mass produced items.
Just as Tacita Dean’s Mouse Museum, Simon’s film is a meditative experience, as ‘slow as watching oil paint dry’.

Cinematographer: Diderik Evers
Gaffer: Zen Bloot