Stanley Kubrick's deep space and alien vibes infuse new show

Koen Hauser, THE DANCE OF VENUS, 2019: part of Stanley Kubrick inspired exhibition at Ravestijn Gallery — Koen Hauser, The Dance of Venus, 2019

(Image credit: Koen Hauser)

The influence of Stanley Kubrick never really ends. The American filmmaker, who died in 1999 having lived much of his adult life in the UK, was a meticulous craftsman with a razor-sharp eye for detail, as well as a keeper of vast archives of research. The director’s impact infuses a new exhibition, ‘I’m Sorry Dave’, opening this weekend at Amsterdam’s Ravestijn Gallery (showing from 5 November 2022 to 7 January 2023).

Artwork by Inez &amp; Vinoodh featuring woman standing in living room, is shown at Stanley Kubrick inspired exhibition — Inez & Vinoodh, *Rianne Van Rompaey / H.A.L. 9000*, 2019

The common cinematic thread of the exhibits is 1968’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, one of the all-time great science fiction films. Set in a richly detailed future world, 2001 set new standards for special effects and art direction.

The exhibition’s title, ‘I’m Sorry Dave’, is taken from HAL 9000, the softly spoken, utterly psychopathic computer at the heart of the film.

Artwork by Vincent Fournier, ANECHOIC CHAMBER, [ISAE], TOULOUSE, 2018 — Vincent Fournier, *Anechoic Chamber, [ISAE], Toulouse*, 2018

As the gallery notes, Kubrick’s aesthetic world is ’reflected back in today’s data centres, international space programmes and self-driving cars.’

The featured artists have all taken on some aspect of 2001’s influence in their work, either consciously or unconsciously, whether through their subject matter, aesthetic, or exploration of the uncanny and the everyday.

Red spacesuit in white space — Vincent Fournier, *Space Odyssey Spacesuit #1, Sylmar, USA*, 2019

With photography by Vincent Fournier, Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, Paweł Bownik, Martina Sauter, Philippe Braquenier and sculpture by Koen Hauser, the Ravestijn Gallery sets a scene for a mix of form, futurology and fashion.

Fournier’s fascination with space is well documented, but his fellow exhibitors use image and form to explore the otherworldly and the uncanny.

Astronauts in space center — Vincent Fournier, *Ergol#7, Arianespace, Guiana Space Center [CGS], Kourou, French Guiana*, 2007

‘I’m Sorry Dave’, is on show from 5 November 2022 – 7 January 2023, at the Ravestijn Gallery in Amsterdam, Netherlands

theravestijngallery.com

Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.