Fondation CAB Brussels is pleased to present its 31th artist-in-residence, Gwendolyn Lootens (BE).
The work of Gwendolyn Lootens starts from the intuitive action and continuous process of drawing, through ‘moments’ on paper, ‘moving moments’ on video, and ‘situations’ in public space. She explores the relation between gestures, emotions and abstract images. She captures in real time traces of actions on camera. Repeating movements – rolling, rubbing, holding still, ironing, sliding, squeezing… with everyday materials – tape, oil, flour, magnets, dishes, strings,… coming together in sequences, short abstract video works called ‘moving moments’. Employing time as a medium, the images are often ephemeral: a breathing zone within the nearly disappearing, the intangible, the fragile. She start working without a plan, embracing the unpredictable and allowing failure, discovering the strength within a moment of weakness.
Gwendolyn Lootens also shares her practice through ‘situations’ in public space or in an exhibition context, a ‘playground for adults’. Existing as time-based participatory-performative works, she invites people to experience together an image or a movement. Her work is informed by a strong social commitment and a desire to share authorship.
Archiving is a part of Lootens’ work, to keep track of the moments, moving moments and situations and place them into edits. In an exhibition context she develops moving installations from various overlapping elements of the work, inviting visitors to contemplate, to interact and to touch.