Den Frie Udstillingsbygning

BEDLAM – ON NORMALITY AND OTHER OBSESSIONS 
AUGUST 21st – SEPTEMBER 26th 2010

OPENING: August 20th 2010, 5 - 8 PM

- An exhibition that explores the current notion of normality and the potential of insanity.
As Fjordor Dostovskij wrote, ‘One does not secure one’s own common sense by locking up the neighbour’. But most societies still secure and protect normality and common sense by isolating or locking up those who deviate, being of religious, political, sexual, ethnical or mental reasons. By stamping ‘the different’ as dangerous, mad or not trustworthy, society’s common understanding of normality is strengthened.

The name Bedlam, originally Bethlehem, comes from a mental hospital in London. In the 18th century it became popular to visit the hospital and for 1 penny, one could get to see ‘the freaks of Bethlehem’. More than 100.000 people visited the place in only one year and visitors were allowed to bring sticks to push and infuriate the incarcerated. ‘Bedlam’ became an expression for inferno and chaos – the worst imaginable place.     

Today we largely live with a media produced picture of reality, which contains rather bold assumptions. The artists participating in the exhibition find it necessary to question the public opinion of what defines normality? The marginalized grow in number and the surveillance of every citizen is increased. In prime-time television bizarre crossings of docu-soaps and freak shows are shown. In front of the screen one can safely confirm one’s own normality and secretly watch and point fingers at others.