Lay Down was a joint exhibition of work by Atelier van Lieshout and Fransje Killaars: a surprising combination. Their installations were explicitly meant to be touched, climbed and otherwise used.
Both Atelier van Lieshout and Fransje Killaars intend their art works to be used. For Lay Down Atelier van Lieshout transformed De Vleeshal into a landscape of bed sculptures in all shapes and sizes. Raised beds allowed their occupants to examine De Vleeshal`s Gothic ceiling at close quarters; large multiples encouraged unexpected get-togethers. Lavish bedding, in off-whites and creams, hinted at opportunities for intimacy.
The beds enclosed Fransje Killaars` festive five metre long and three metre high swing. This swing was large enough for several people to sit (or lie) on at once. The brightly coloured and carefully arranged cushions and blankets on the base gave the installation the feel of a tactile, moving painting that changed with each movement of the swing.
