No Need To Pretend
About the event
How are young people really doing? They are growing up in a time of increasing performance pressure, concerns about the future, constant visibility, and an endless stream of stimuli. The impact of this on their mental health is receiving more and more attention. Yet it remains difficult to put these feelings and experiences into words. Art can play an important role in this. Around De Dag van de Mentale Gezondheid, Melkweg Expo and Stichting mind Us invite visitors to explore these themes through art and make them open for discussion. More about the exhibition
That is why ‘No Need To Pretend’ brings together visual art, youth culture and mental health. The exhibition shows work by recently graduated artists from Dutch art academies. This selection was created in collaboration with youth ambassadors from Stichting mind Us, who, under the guidance of guest curator Cathelijne Blok, went in search of artworks that connect with their world. In the works shown by artists Anna Björk, Densley Annastatia, Elsa Rubio Björk, Finn Koene, Gala Camps -McLoughlin, Mabel Blokzijl and Rosa Uribe, the young people recognise experiences of stress, alienation and the pressure to meet expectations, but also resilience, connection and hope.
Curated in part by young people
No Need To Pretend is not just about young people, but has been curated in part by them. The exhibition contributes to an open conversation about mental health and shows how art can help make feelings discussable, even if you are not an art expert. There is no right or wrong: your interpretation does not necessarily have to match the artist's intention. Perhaps you will find recognition in the works, they will form the start of a conversation and they will show that others share the same experiences. That is precisely where the power of art lies.
