Finally, the Groninger Museum has got it together. For six weeks, you can admire Hella and Freek de Jonge at the museum. Not only their art, but also the people behind the works. Art meets performance art meets reality show. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Taking a look into the couple's kitchen; also literally, because Hella will be making a proper breakfast in the real kitchen every day. This breakfast, according to Hella, has ensured that they are both still so fit and healthy. Besides themselves, Freek and Hella exhibit works-both old and new-from their private collection. Like the mosaic 'Water and Fire' that forms the starting point of the exhibition, The Full Life shows a mosaic of their lives and because to fully experience it, the visitor needs all the senses.
Groningen earthquake problem
Freek de Jonge has made a visible case for Groningen and its people; the earthquakes and the subsequent battle against the reluctant NAM and the Dutch government, among others. The exhibition also includes a section focusing on these issues. A rumbling house with a crack from head to toe; a montage made by Hella depicting Freek's process and his fight for Groningen including footage from last January's torchlight procession. Hearing, seeing and feeling are the senses appealed to with this element anyway. The use of smell I dare not say (yet), but the fact that the earthquake issue has not yet been resolved is paragon of bad taste.
Hearing, seeing and experiencing
As both Hella and Freek have often been portrayed in the media, the public has a certain image of them, as people and as artists. A judgment. In the exhibition, you will also find (posed) portraits of the two, taken by top photographers like Corbijn, but also photos that exhibit the intimate side of the family. To visitors. The people behind the glitz and glamour. Connect. A look into the living room and kitchen that can lead to forming a more authentic opinion and experience than you get from reading a 'lifestyle magazine'.
Art and artistic friends
Hella and Freek de Jonge have obviously built up a collection of art in their (artistic) careers; from beautiful show, songs, books and sculptures to eccentric costumes and set pieces. These are on display with a message. Explanations are sometimes present, but mostly you have to make yourself feel it. Freek de Jonge is even up for a request.
Freek and Hella, just like a 'normal' couple not exhibited in a museum, invite friends to visit. In this case, they include: Jan Mulder, Lavinia Meijer, Matthijs van Nieuwkerk and Connie Palmen. Should you want to see them all, the museum unfortunately does not sell a passe-partout, but according to Groninger Museum director Andreas Blühm, the museum annual pass is a godsend, because it "you'll have it out after three visits." Almost. With what I paid for the card, I have to visit Hella, Freek and friends four times. Which in itself is not a punishment either.
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