INNER MOVEMENT

Exhibition by Monique Belier | Inner Movement

January 31 to February 2, 2025, the exhibition Inner Movement by visual artist Monique Belier will be on display at the Oude Meisjesschool. Inner Movement is the overarching title of the work Monique has completed over the past two years. In addition to her successful graduation project, the photo-artist book Where the Spirit Meets the Bone, the exhibition features two new ongoing projects that further deepen her previous work.

“The focus of my work is on the human psyche, memories, and making emotions visible—especially those we often struggle to put into words. Movement is an essential part of my photography; I use it as a visual language to capture emotions, but it is not the goal itself.

Many of the images revolve around a deep-seated fear of disappearing, of not being seen, or of being consumed. Through this, I explore my own experiences with depression and a panic disorder, which have played a significant role in my life since 2017.

The stories that emerge from this are raw and personal, yet at the same time universal and recognizable. I invite the audience to see themselves in the work, where both the subject and the environment reflect the inner movement of our deepest emotions.”

Exhibition Location: Atelier (1st floor) Hoofdstraat 201, Bovenkarspel (No elevator).
Opening Vernissage: Friday, January 31 | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Opening Hours: February 1 & 2 | 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Solo Exhibition ‘Inner Movement’ at Atelier K84 - July 12, 2024, through September 7, 2024 - Keizersgracht 84 - Amsterdam curated by Cees Beuzekom and Maurice Laudy.

The new projects, some of which I will exhibit, are still in development and an extension of my earlier work.

IN SEARCH OF NIJINSKY

In ‘In Search of Nijinsky’ (working title), I use the Kiev-born dancer Vaslav Nijinsky (born 1889) as a starting point. Fascinated by this man, I strive to embody his essence. He is considered the greatest dancer of the early 20th century, celebrated for his extraordinary skills and theprofound, intense way he in which he portrayed characters. He also stirred controversy and was daringly innovative in his movements, a true pioneer of contemporary dance. He danced to express himself.

What captivates me the most are his diaries, written in 1919 just before being diagnosed with schizophrenia and being admitted to a psychiatric hospital. The texts seem to have poured directly from his pen, his thoughts tumbling over each other. It’s as if what he used to express through dance was now captured in his writing.

I feel a deep connection with him, possibly because I, too, am always searching for ways to express myself and to be recognised. I seek to understand what was happening psychologically from the time of his admission until his death. His life after dance. Was movement still his language in his mind? I try to visualise his thoughts, his frustration, and fear—something I can very much relate to and strive to understand.

TREADING WATER

‘Treading Water’ (working title) is part of another series featured in the exhibition. It depicts the overwhelming wave of chaos and storm in the mind that one can experience during a panic attack. Through this piece, I explore my own experiences with panic disorder, which has played a significant role in my life since 2017.