Paradise Pleasure Productions

An integral “Sixth” of renowned design collective Antwerp Six, Walter Van Bereindonck has within the last, almost 30 years of his career become one of his home country’s most important fashion designers. His collections, which often blur the boundaries between fashion and art, feel as at home in fashion boutiques as they do in installations and other artistic settings. Also at SONG where his exhibition Paradise Pleasure Production is on show until 15 January 2011.

 
Conceived as “a loud cry for freedome”, the exhibition deals with a critique of socio-political, religious, cultural and sexual absolutes and restrictions.

The three figures are covered in big, hand-embroidered flags referring the different collections by Van Beirendonck, such as “Take a W-Ride/War on Hate” (Winter 2011) or “WONDE” (Summer 2010), thus raising important questions. Moreover, the designer adds double-heeled men’s shoes from his eXplicit summer 2009 collection to create a gender-tension as well as three latex dildos in order to allude to religiously prescribed sexual practices.

 
However, what Van Beirendonck essentially tries to achieve with this installation is probably best said in his own words:

“My intention with this installation is exactly the same intention I have working on my fashion-collections: to tell a story in a way that raises a smile, but at the same time communicates deeper criticisms.”

Paradise-like pleasure subversively staged.