Guido van der Werve was born in the Netherlands and currently lives and works in Finland. Van der Werve pursued studies in industrial design, archaeology music composition and Russian language and literature at several universities in the Netherlands before beginning to create his first video documented performances around 2000. Since that time he has created a variety of works, including a series of film and videos and a musical composition titled by number in chronological order from two to twelve.

Nummer Twee appears to start with a ‘stunt’ in which the artist is knocked down by a car in the street. On the brusque cut that interrupts the image immediately afterwards follows a trip to a cinematographic dreamland. A riot-police van enters the street and five ballerinas alight to perform a short dance near the victim. The serial monotony of ordinary Dutch terraced houses serves as a background. This surreal combination of images could easily become lachrymose or ridiculous, but on the contrary, thanks to the strict, almost clinical direction, the film is surprising and moving. A stereotypical image of beauty is presented as if for the first time. The work belongs to the classic modernist tradition, at the intersection of film, video and performance art.

Guido van der Werve (b. 1977 Papendrecht, The Netherlands) is a Dutch filmmaker who explores themes such as melancholy, loss, and loneliness. Major exhibitions include Galerie Juliette Jongma, Amsterdam (2011); the New Museum, New York (2011); Luhring Augustine, 2010); Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington D.C. (2009); La Maison Rouge, Paris (2008); and Muu Gallery, Helsinki (2005).

Courtesy the artist and Luhring Augustine, NY

Curated by Daniel Fuller