The flood is one of the oldest and most potent myths in many societies. Although there are variations from culture to culture, the myth of the flood often tells the story of a purge, a divine punishment exterminating humans and animals from which survives a male and female of each species. A form of regenerative destruction, a violent and global tabula rasa. Ultimately, it’s the story of the end of the world caused by an ecological crisis which only a few survive. [...]
May 9th - May 10th 2015
A collaboration with Deborah Bowmann, Victor Delestre & Amaury Daurel
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Deborah Bowmann Amsterdam, its representatives and Deborah herself are pleased to present the new collection Wet Desks Flooded Numbers. On display from May 9th to May 10th 2015, the exhibition will mark the end of Deborah Bowmann Amsterdam.

The flood is one of the oldest and most potent myths in many societies. Although there are variations from culture to culture, the myth of the flood often tells the story of a purge, a divine punishment exterminating humans and animals from which survives a male and female of each species. A form of regenerative destruction, a violent and global tabula rasa. Ultimately, it’s the story of the end of the world caused by an ecological crisis which only a few survive.

From this myth, we have inherited of cinematic genre of the disaster film which, since the 70s, 90s and especially the millennium, has exploded in popularity. Each recrudescence corresponds to a global economic and/or political crisis, as if the offices bankers and politicians are connected to cinematic production. As if these films, like curses proclaimed by cap-wearing film directors , are warning those responsible for the crises, even the humanity in its entirety.

Following this vein, Wet Desks Flooded Numbers presents a postdiluvian fishmonger: the strict businessman office now a vast chaos of furniture, computers, blank calculation sheets whose precious numbers have vanished in the flood, and where lost hake are strewn upon the carpets and an armchair (Deborah Classic Executive Armchair), waiting for a customer who they believe still might arrive. In dream-like minimalism, the mural Study for New Numbers is spread on the ceiling and walls of the space, as so many calculations, numerals and numbers freed from usage, taking on new forms and discovering new contexts.

Wet Desks Flooded Numbers is the place the bureaucratic and marine spaces, office furniture and fishes can finally come together, as a market-orientated accomplishment of the watery purge.
Deborah Bowmann