30.05.25 – 31.08.25, For some time I’ve been standing

For some time I’ve been standing is an exhibition curated by Curatorial Studies 2024-2025 participants that takes place at the Old House, Kunsthal Gent from May 30 to August 31, 2025.

Bringing together works by Chupan Atashi, Manon de Boer, Michael Kleine, Brigitte Louter, and a workshop by Emma Ydiers, the exhibition sets out to trace gestures of rehearsal, repetition, and return, exploring what it means to pause, to stand still, or to remain in motion.

By entering into dialogue with the fresco on the back wall of the Old House, the artworks reiterate its significance as a palimpsest — responding to, echoing and reimagining it. Immediately drawing the gaze, the fresco tends to direct a body’s movement in the space. Between the other white walls, it attracts the eye, inviting it to wander over its worn, bodily surface, to follow the contours of the gaps and cracks, to glide over the smooth areas and to acknowledge its most vulnerable parts.

The exhibition takes its title from a passage in Kathy Acker’s 1993 novel My Mother: Demonology, “For some time I’ve been standing, in front of a white stucco wall, on a white road that is raised above all the surroundings and the dirt underneath, as though it’s a platform. All around me are masses of luggage, suitcases and bags”. Integral to Acker’s writing is the process of rewriting and reinterpreting, often plagiarising other sources as her own. This reflects the impetus of the exhibition to enter into conversation with the fresco on the back wall of the Old House, reiterating its significance as a palimpsest with artworks that respond, echo, and reimagine.

Accessibility statement

For some time I’ve been standing is located in the Old Hou­se, which is wheel­chair acces­si­ble through the main entrance, if accom­pa­nied. Michael Kleine’s “Plateau” is only accessible via stairs, but is available in video format that can be accessed by scanning the QR code on the wall next to the work. Feel free to speak to a staff mem­ber if you need help. General exhi­bi­ti­ons at Kunsthal Gent do not cur­rent­ly have an audio gui­de. Howe­ver, the volun­teers do give expla­na­ti­ons to tho­se who want and a room plan is avai­la­ble at the entrance. During ope­ning hours, you will find visu­al sig­na­ge to the dif­fe­rent are­as of Kunst­hal Gent. Do you have any questions/​remarks or would you like more infor­ma­ti­on on the acces­si­bi­li­ty of Kunst­hal Gent? Plea­se feel free to con­tact us at info@kunsthal.gent.