This exhibition establishes unique connections between contemporary art from the Collection Bonnefanten and invites visitors to do the same.

Four times Two (1967), an artwork of four knots by the Japanese-American artist Shinkichi Tajiri, forms the trigger and the starting point for this collection presentation, which spans half a century. Tajiri’s exposure to racism and exclusion had a decisive influence on his life and work. As a young man he experienced war and hatred, and he yearned for solidarity. Tajiri’s distinctive knot is a recognisable symbol of connection and unity all over the world. Bringing people together, however, is no easy task. It requires courage and an environment that does not recoil from things that are different or unfamiliar. And not everything can be solved just like that. Shinkichi Tajiri’s knot stands for that as well: the world is complex and confusing, and human relationships are often complicated.

Connection, unity, contrasts

In this exhibition, each room shows work by four artists: the number of knots in Four times Two. The works are all very diverse with regard to their creation period, subject, theme or appearance. So the question is: what do they have in common? Everyone looks at things differently and makes different connections, and over time art shows other and new perspectives. The exhibition is mainly an invitation to go in personal search of the underlying ideas, emotions, messages or symbolism that connect these artworks, across time and cultural differences, both to each other and to us.

Header: Shinkichi Tajiri, Four times two (4x2), 1967, polyester, 100 h x 100 w x 40 d cm. Collection Bonnefanten. Photo Peter Cox