Dinnis van Dijken - Slap that Jello and watch it wobble

About this activity.

Dinnis van Dijken (Groningen, 1990) is a visual artist and writer. By experimenting with new approaches, use of different media and unusual strategies to create new work, he tries to analyze and breathe new life into the constructions behind (painted) art.

With his work, Van Dijken questions both the artistry and the role of painting in 2023. Questions such as: 'What is the practical use of a painting?', and 'Can a painting become an integral part of daily life or will it always remain so? an isolated work of art?', are central.

In his work he connects underlying themes such as existentialism, disability and fear, but approaches everything in a light-hearted, humorous way to provide a sense of reassurance.

With his new paintings, which Van Dijken presents in his first solo exhibition Slap that Jello and watch it wobble, he tries to integrate painting into everyday life, especially into the lives of millennials. While his work has significance within the exhibition as visual art, outside of it – in the home environment – it could function as a game board, tablecloth or otherwise.

Jello theory

The title of the exhibition refers to the Jello theory, popularized on platforms such as TikTok, which could help people overcome their fear of flying. This theory compares a flying airplane to a ball floating in a gelatinous space (Jello). The pressure of the Jello ensures that the ball does not sink, even when shaken hard. This can be compared to what happens to airplanes during turbulence. According to Van Dijken, this is exactly how it works with art: art is a formless entity that evolves and adapts to social changes, but will always be able to retain its core form and function. Art crosses time, pushed and propelled by a now wobbling vacuum mass of an internet-saturated visual culture.

Dinnis van Dijken graduated from both the Konstfack University of Arts, Craft and Design in Stockholm, Sweden, and Academie Minerva in Groningen. His work has been awarded the Eva o Hugo Bergman Stipendium from the Royal Art Academy of Fine Arts (Stockholm, Sweden), the Konstfack University College Stipendium and the Lucht Stipendium from Kunstpunt Groningen. His work is included in the art collection of the Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen.

Museum Belvédère.

Location.

Afslag BLV
Minckelersstraat 11
8442 CE Heerenveen
www.museumbelvedere.nl/nl/