The paper precision of Annita Smit

Time and Eternity. Poetry in Image and Word

This summer, Escher in The Palace welcomes the three-dimensional paper art objects of Dutch artist Annita Smit (b. 1966) between the work of M.C. Escher. Smit uses paper in a three-dimensional way in her intricate artworks, which are full of rhythm, movement and structure. For the objects in this exhibition Smit has used remnants of Bible production and old Bible paper. Her work is characterised by refinement, subtle colours and detailing. What appears from a distance to be one small world turns out to be composed of minuscule cut and coloured pieces of gossamer paper.

The exhibition also features new poetry on the themes of time and eternity by contemporary poets Babs Gons and Mustafa Stitou, encouraging visitors to reflect. The poems will be available to visitors of the exhibition in a free booklet, along with the Dutch essay, “Being Dialogical: Two Voices, Two Times”, by philosopher Joke J. Hermsen, which was written especially for this project.

Time and Eternity is a duo exhibition in collaboration with the Kloosterkerk The Hague, where other work by Annita Smit and contemporary poets will be on view. This initiative of the Biblical Museum revolves around the direct relationship between art and viewer, bringing together image and word in paper objects and poems. Without captions, titles or wall texts, this collaboration between Escher in The Palace and the Biblical Museum invites visitors to enjoy the art in the monumental ballroom of Palace Lange Voorhout and experience it in their own way. An exhibition that prioritises mindfulness: turn off your brain, turn on your heart.

Duo exhibition

Time and Eternity is a duo exhibition, on view at both Escher in The Palace and the Kloosterkerk, both located on the Lange Voorhout in The Hague. The opening hours of the Kloosterkerk are Tuesday to Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. At the Kloosterkerk, entry to the exhibition is free of charge.

Time and Eternity is an initiative and production of the Bijbels Museum, made possible thanks to the support of Mondriaan Fund, Doopsgezind Predikfonds Haarlem, Iona Foundation, Vrijzinnige Fondsen, Royal Jongbloed, De Schrijverscentrale and Friends of the Biblical Museum.