‘Radically Naive / Naively Radical’ captures the state of mind foisted on us by the present era. An era in which we seem to be drifting from tipping point to tipping point: 9/11 and the so-called War on Terror, the Arab Spring, the alt-right, #MeToo, the migration crisis, Trump, #BLM, the constant threat of climate change … Is COVID-19 the final nail in the coffin? Do we now submit to the sea of polarisation? Or do we stand strong against the tide of cynicism?

In an open exhibition without any imposed thesis, ‘Radically Naive / Naively Radical’ seeks to positively re-evaluate the notion of naivety: doing over analysing, making over designing. It is a search for institutional meaning, for the (im)material character of art, for cultural uniqueness and artistic autonomy.

‘Radically Naive / Naively Radical’ marks the start of Kunsthal Extra City’s tenure at its new location, the former Dominican Church and Chapel. A place whose context is all-encompassing, where meaning lingers around even before a single artwork is added. The Kunsthal invites artists to occupy this space. Consciously they situate themselves in a post(?)-religious, post(?)-colonial, post(?)-feminist and post(?)-materialistic world.

Curated by: Joachim Naudts

More info and reservations via extracity.org

Artists: Thomas Bellinck, Ben Benaouisse, Seyni Awa Camara, Saddie Choua, Helga Davis & Anouk De Clercq, Vesna Faassen & Lukas Verdijk, Iman Issa, Léonard Pongo, Gert Verhoeven, Katarina Zdjelar, Egon Van Herreweghe