Lodovico Corsini presents Flowers of Romance - Act Two

With works by Nan Goldin, Calvin Marcus, Rachel Rose, Ed Ruscha, Cy Twombly, Peter Wächtler, and others

Curated by Charlie Fox, Flowers of Romance unfolds in two parts and takes place across both spaces at Lodovico Corsini in Brussels. Act Two, or Night, Mutating from the first iteration of the show, brings another hallucinogenic feast, darker, dreamier and more beastly. Well, every rose has its thorn. For the lonely, lovesick and smitten alike.

The exhibition creates a specific, weird, hallucinogenic kind of environment. Hence the grass, the pink windows and the soundtrack by Oliver Leith. An overall feeling that enhances and guides the viewer into a specific mindset.

With works by Matthew Barney, Javier Barrios, Camille Blatrix, Cosima von Bonin, Matt Copson, Aria Dean, Nicole Eisenman, Francesca Facciola, Nan Goldin, Hugh Hayden, Nuri Koerfer, George Kuchar, Calvin Marcus, Diego Marcon, David Rappeneau, Rachel Rose, Ed Ruscha, Heji Shin, Jack Smith, Frans Snyders, Cy Twombly, Peter Wächtler, and music by Oliver Leith.

"I wanted to make a dissociative zone where all kinds of magical objects could flirt with each other and seduce you, like wandering around a Disney version of the Garden of the Eden on hallucinogens, full of wild animals freaking out, weird music, lush grass underfoot like in Alice Through the Looking-Glass."
— Charlie Fox

Flowers of Romance - Act Two
Until 21 December 2024

Lodovico Corsini
Avenue Van Volxemlaan 311
1190 Brussels, Belgium
https://www.lodovicocorsini.com

Text from the curator

Aw, I’ve always been a romantic.

I fancied the skunk from Bambi, I love Sade— as in Diamond Life, not Justine. Once when I was sick, I watched The Age of Innocence five times in two days. This romantic tendency may also manifest in the fact that I’ve always found reality weirdly... unfinished. This is why we have art, probably, to make up for a certain lack of imagination in the external world, or from ‘God’.

All those thoughts play out in Flowers of Romance. I wanted to make a dissociative zone where all kinds of magical objects could flirt with each other and seduce you, like a fucked-up Disney version of the Garden of the Eden, full of wild animals freaking out, weird music, hallucinogens weaved on the breeze. Dreamy and dangerous.

‘Freaking out’? You bet. I mean, falling in love is disorientating and scary just as much as it makes you feel like you’re skipping across the sky or whatever. Your heart melts. ‘Romance’ is a rabbit hole into thinking about heartbreak, weird kinks, extremely gorgeous animals, ecstasy and depression, angels and demons.

When the idea of the show was just beginning to bloom in my mind, I was thinking about a lot of luscious simulations of nature, too, the hyperreal fruitfulness of baroque painting coupled with Spielberg’s Hook. Something good enough to eat. Heathers is also a big deal here, of course: ‘lick it up, baby, lick it up.’

I’d tell you something kind of meaningful about John Donne’s poetry or ‘post-Koons aesthetics of cuteness’ or the best way to appreciate the fantastic purple watermelon balls on George Kuchar’s portrait of his beloved dog. (R.I.P. George and Bocko) but it’s way more fun to just get lost in the jungle. OK, I will say that almost everything you need to know about the show is contained within the video for ‘Kiss of Love’ by Sade: Skittles-tinted colour, chronic longing, roses on fire.

Love is the drug.

— Charlie Fox

About Lodovico Corsini

Transitioning from C L E A R I N G to Lodovico Corsini in 2024, the gallery's history is linked to that of C L E A R I N G in Brussels, which was directed by Lodovico Corsini and has an ambitious exhibition programme, which made it one of the most cutting-edge destinations for contemporary art in Brussels.

Lodovico Corsini represents emerging and established artists, such as Meriem Bennani, Calvin Marcus, Marina Pinsky, Matt Copson and Javier Barrios among others, as well as the estate of René Heyvaert and Bruno Gironcoli.

Lodovico Corsini supports its artists by producing works and exhibitions, as well as working closely with public and private institutions.

About Charlie Fox

Charlie Fox is a writer and artist who lives in London. His book This Young Monster is published by Fitzcarraldo Editions. He curated the twin shows My Head is a Haunted House for Sadie Coles HQ and Dracula’s Wedding for RODEO. His work has appeared in Dazed, 032c, The Paris Review and The New York Times.

Selection of images

Download the images here

Lodovico Corsini presents Flowers of Romance - Act Two

About Club Paradis | PR & Communications

Contact