Jan Cox: Plaats voor Nieuwe and De dood van Socrates
Secular humanism is an ideology that deserves a place in an exhibition dealing with major world religions. Two paintings by the Belgian artist Jan Cox (1919 – 1980) divulge important values in secular humanism.
Cox was born in The Hague (NL) but lived and worked in Boston and Antwerp. As a humanist and freemason, he glorified stories from Greek antiquity and turned them into works of art that encourage self-reflection. No belief in a hereafter or in reincarnation, only a confrontation with human beings who are looking for knowledge, wisdom and insight into good and evil. The painting 'Plaats voor Nieuwe' (Room for New) refers to a general social fact: human beings don’t learn, they continue to kill their fellow men in times of war. The painting 'De dood van Socrates' (Socrates’ Death) refers to an individual’s right to chose to take their own life. Just like Socrates, Cox ended his own life.
'Plaats voor Nieuwe' was given to the MAS as a long-term loan by Adriaan Raemdonck, owner of De Zwarte Panter gallery and friend of the artist. A few years ago he donated 'De Dood van Socrates' to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp. That museum has placed the painting at the disposal of the MAS.
Daniel’s Visioen – Daniel’s Vision
This new installation illustrates the meaning of life and death, and the transition between the two in the Jewish faith. Life and death are in line in Judaism. Jews believe in life after death so death is a part of daily life. In this installation, the Jewish artist Daniel von Weinberger of Antwerp gives his personal vision of Jewish life.
Daniel von Weinberger pursued his studies at the Antwerp Fashion Academy in the 1970s. His specialism is working with precious metals. There is a table with a white tablecloth in the centre of the installation. Many Jewish rituals and celebrations take place around the living room table. It is a symbolic replacement of the Temple altar. The installation features four poetic texts by Ingrid van der Veken. The installation includes the book 'Jalkoet Daniel / Daniel’s verzameling' in which von Weinberger grants the reader a glimpse into the concealed life of the Jewish community.