Festivals and Films

Genius without Talent

From 15 Jul 2011 to 01 Oct 2011

16 July-2 Oct. Against a background of the ever-growing opportunities for ordinary people to take to the stage, either through "talent shows" or the internet, the De Appel arts centre hosts a group exhibition which asks whether anyone can achieve excellence in art even if they do not possess natural talent.

The exhibition contrasts amateur with professional, and genius with talented, from the perspective of contemporary art and popular culture.

Much in the same way that provocative 1970s artists Joseph Beuys and Robert Filliou maintained that "everyone was an artist," the show follows today's often-untalented chasers of fame and asks of them questions they would probably rather not hear.