The Consumption of the Suffering

Sintbaafskerk, 2010 Aardenburg The Netherlands. From July 16 to August 29, you can view the installation The Consumption of The Suffering by Belgian artist Peter Weidenbaum in the Sint-Baafskerk in Aardenburg. His work is at the center of the Aardenburg Summer Arts.

The Saint Bavo's Church in Aardenburg transforms for the occasion into an archetype of hyper Gothic. The Consumption of The Suffering by the Belgian artist Peter Weidenbaum can be described between two phrases from the film Inland Empire by the American director David Lynch. The aesthetics of suffering pass treacherously quickly. The installation that Peter Weidenbaum exhibits in the unique location of the Sint-Baafskerk in Aardenburg tries to capture and retain that aesthetic.

With The Consumption of The Suffering, Peter Weidenbaum tells a retro-symbolic story in 3D. She shows images that are massive and at the same time unique pieces. They are all iconic representations spanning a spectrum that spans from the animal to the divine. They are laden with a mythical energy that permeates our day-to-day everydayness as intensely as it is subtle. Only, we only feel connected to that energy when we are reminded of it. When it presents itself, suddenly. The three parts of the artwork together form a three-dimensional passion story. It tells of suffering as consumption of pain and redemption.

In addition, at Freemen Gallery he shows paintings that he painted using the technique of the chiaroscuro. I made this series of paintings with Caravaggio in mind, says Peter Weidenbaum.