{"id":15991,"title":"IN SITU: Jean Katambayi Mukendi — RATIO","date_begin":"2026-06-06T00:00:00.000+02:00","date_end":"2026-09-27T00:00:00.000+02:00","location":{"readable":"Antwerp","latitude":null,"longitude":null},"assets":{"poster":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/mhka_ensembles_production/assets/public/000/095/940/large/2026-02-18_Kunstwerke_0400a.jpg?1780404293","poster_credits":"(c)Jean Katambayi Mukendi - photo: Frank Sperling, Berlin"},"translations":[{"locale":"en","name":"IN SITU: Jean Katambayi Mukendi — RATIO","short_description":"","description":"\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A ratio is a relationship between two elements. Today, many kinds of relationships are at play. We can speak of the North-South relationship, the economic relationship, the balance of power, but also, possibly, of support — the relationship of backing or care.”\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJean Katambayi Mukendi\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRATIO\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/i\u003e, artist \u003cstrong\u003eJean Katambayi Mukendi\u003c/strong\u003e questions the dualities that shape our world: the natural and the artificial, growth and destruction, wanted and discarded materials, and the relationship between resources and power.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKatambayi’s practice is deeply informed by his training as an electrician and his sustained interest in engineering and mathematics. His work examines contemporary technological developments while simultaneously addressing the social, economic and ecological imbalances he identifies as consequences of global structural inequities in resource extraction and power distribution. For Katambayi, there is a direct correlation between who possesses literal power (energy) and the broader geopolitical axes along which power is distributed between countries. Copper is extracted from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to power other nations, while he himself lives with recurring power outages.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRATIO\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/i\u003e features newly produced hybrid sculptures, large-scale paintings and a series of A1-format drawings. At the centre of the exhibition is \u003ca href=\"https://ensembles.org/items/mukendi-kabongo-air-hybird-wings-rdc26fg?public=1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003emukendi kabongo\u003c/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eAir hybird Wings RDC26FG\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/a\u003e, a large installation inspired by machines from the fields of aviation, agriculture, and the military. Katambayi merges and combines components from these machines to imaginatively multiply their functions, exploring the ecological potential of technology through processes of recycling and repurposing. Among the four large scale paintings, \u003ci\u003eDivina\u003c/i\u003e resembles a printed circuit board, a structure fundamental to nearly all electronic devices. Its title is an anagram of Nvidia, a leading US-based technology company specialising in AI computing hardware. Combining technical schematics with spiritual symbolism — most notably the hand at its centre, evoking the divine — the painting draws attention to the extraction of raw materials such as copper and cobalt in the DRC, materials essential to global electronics production. With Vita, Katambayi reflects on the social fractures shaped by competition over natural resources and living systems within a capitalist order struggling to find equilibrium. The painting evokes tectonic, floral and faunal forms to suggest nature’s own capacity for balance, structured through invisible axes governing the Earth. Growing from geometric figures and lines, the artist’s drawings form speculative reflections on human experience in relation to ecology, technology and the economy, ranging from the impact of climate on human routines to cryptocurrency.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRATIO\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/i\u003e is Mukendi’s first solo museum presentation and is part of \u003cstrong\u003eM HKA’s IN SITU programme\u003c/strong\u003e, dedicated to newly commissioned work.\u003c/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"text-small\"\u003e*The exhibition is curated by \u003cstrong\u003eEmma Enderby\u003c/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eLinda Franken\u003c/strong\u003e (KW) and \u003cstrong\u003eAnne-Claire Schmitz\u003c/strong\u003e (Muhka), and co-produced with \u003cstrong\u003eKW Institute for Contemporary Art\u003c/strong\u003e, Berlin. The works were constructed during a production residency held in Berlin in autumn 2025, using locally sourced recycled materials.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"text-small\"\u003e*A first iteration of \u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRATIO\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/i\u003e is presented at KW from 21 February to 10 May 2026.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"text-small\"\u003e*The exhibition is accompanied by \u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCircuits\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/i\u003e, Mukendi’s first monographic publication, co-edited by Leuven University Press, the Contemporary Art Committee KU Leuven, KW and M HKA.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"locale":"nl","name":"IN SITU: Jean Katambayi Mukendi — RATIO","short_description":"","description":"\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Een ratio is een verhouding tussen twee elementen. Vandaag zijn er vele soorten verhoudingen aan het werk. We kunnen spreken van de Noord Zuidverhouding, de economische verhouding, de machtsbalans, maar ook, mogelijk, van steun — de verhouding van ruggensteun of zorg.”\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJean Katambayi Mukendi\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRATIO\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/i\u003e, een productie van \u003cstrong\u003eJean Katambayi Mukendi\u003c/strong\u003e voor \u003cstrong\u003eIN SITU\u003c/strong\u003e, brengt recent gemaakte tekeningen samen met grootschalige sculpturen. De tentoonstelling vertrekt van wereldwijde structurele ongelijkheden in de ontginning van grondstoffen en de verdeling van macht. Ze bevraagt de tegenstellingen die onze wereld mee vormgeven: tussen natuur en kunstmatig, groei en vernietiging.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMukendi’s sculpturen sluiten aan bij actuele technologische ontwikkelingen, van landbouw tot militaire toepassingen en robotica. Als samengestelde constructies versmelten en herconfigureren ze machinefuncties. Via recyclage en hergebruik onderzoekt Mukendi hoe zulke technologieën ook anders denkbaar worden, en welke ecologische mogelijkheden daarin schuilen.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDe tekeningen zetten die vragen verder, met observaties en speculatieve reflecties over de menselijke ervaring in relatie tot onder meer ecologie, economie en taal.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRATIO\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/i\u003e is Mukendi’s eerste solopresentatie in een museum en maakt deel uit van het \u003cstrong\u003eIN SITU-programma van M HKA\u003c/strong\u003e, dat nieuwe opdrachten voor kunstenaars realiseert.\u003c/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"text-small\"\u003eDe tentoonstelling is gecureerd door \u003cstrong\u003eEmma Enderby\u003c/strong\u003e en \u003cstrong\u003eLinda Franken\u003c/strong\u003e (KW) en \u003cstrong\u003eAnne-Claire Schmitz\u003c/strong\u003e (M HKA) en is een co-productie met \u003cstrong\u003eKW Institute for Contemporary Art\u003c/strong\u003e, Berlijn. De werken werden gemaakt tijdens een residentie in Berlijn in het najaar van 2025, met lokaal gevonden gerecycleerde materialen.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"text-small\"\u003eEen eerste versie van \u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRATIO\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/i\u003e is te zien bij KW van 21 februari tot 10 mei 2026.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"text-small\"\u003eBij de tentoonstelling verschijnt \u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCircuits\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/i\u003e, Mukendi’s eerste monografische publicatie, mede geredigeerd door Leuven University Press, het Contemporary Art Committee KU Leuven, KW en M HKA.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"locale":"fr","name":"IN SITU: Jean Katambayi Mukendi — RATIO","short_description":"","description":"\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e« Un ratio est une relation entre deux éléments. Aujourd’hui, de nombreux types de relations sont à l’œuvre. On peut parler de la relation Nord-Sud, de la relation économique, de l’équilibre des forces, mais aussi, peut-être, de soutien — la relation d’appui ou de soin. »\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJean Katambayi Mukendi\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRATIO\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/i\u003e, la commande de \u003cstrong\u003eJean Katambayi Mukendi\u003c/strong\u003e pour \u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIN SITU\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/i\u003e, réunit des dessins, peintures et sculptures monumentales nouvellement produits. L’exposition aborde les inégalités structurelles mondiales liées à l’extraction des ressources et à la distribution du pouvoir. Elle interroge les dualités qui façonnent notre monde : entre le naturel et l’artificiel, la croissance et la destruction.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLes sculptures de Mukendi répondent aux développements technologiques contemporains, de l’agriculture à la robotique et aux systèmes militaires. Construites comme des structures composites, elles fusionnent et reconfigurent des fonctions mécaniques, en explorant ce que ces technologies pourraient devenir lorsqu’elles sont abordées par le recyclage et le réemploi, et lorsqu’elles sont envisagées dans leur potentiel écologique.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLes dessins de l’artiste prolongent ces questionnements, en proposant des observations et des réflexions spéculatives sur l’expérience humaine en relation avec l’écologie, l’économie et le langage, entre autres.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRATIO\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/i\u003e est la première présentation muséale personnelle de Mukendi et s’inscrit dans le programme \u003cstrong\u003eIN SITU du M HKA\u003c/strong\u003e, consacré à de nouvelles commandes artistiques.\u003c/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"text-small\"\u003eL’exposition est organisée par\u003cstrong\u003e Emma Enderby\u003c/strong\u003e et \u003cstrong\u003eLinda Franken\u003c/strong\u003e (KW) et A\u003cstrong\u003enne-Claire Schmitz\u003c/strong\u003e (M HKA), et coproduite avec le KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Berlin. Les œuvres ont été réalisées lors d’une résidence de production à Berlin à l’automne 2025, à partir de matériaux recyclés trouvés localement.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"text-small\"\u003eUne première version de \u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRATIO\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/i\u003e est présentée au KW du 21 février au 10 mai 2026.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"text-small\"\u003eL’exposition est accompagnée de \u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCircuits\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/i\u003e, la première publication monographique consacrée à Mukendi, coéditée par Leuven University Press, le Contemporary Art Committee KU Leuven, KW et M HKA.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"locale":"ru","name":null,"short_description":"","description":""},{"locale":"de","name":null,"short_description":"","description":""},{"locale":"es","name":null,"short_description":"","description":""},{"locale":"el","name":null,"short_description":"","description":""}],"actors":[{"id":2742,"name":"Jean Katambayi Mukendi","assets":{"poster":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/mhka_ensembles_production/assets/public/000/095/939/large/2026_INSITU_Katambayi_OPB_zw_1.jpeg?1780392554","poster_credits":"© photo: M HKA, 2026"}}],"items":[{"id":37523,"title":"mukendi kabongo Air hybird Wings RDC26FG","date_begin":"2025-01-01","poster_image":null,"poster_credits":null,"actors":"Jean Katambayi Mukendi"},{"id":37526,"title":"Ratio","date_begin":"2025-01-01","poster_image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/mhka_ensembles_production/assets/public/000/095/930/large/2026-02-18_Kunstwerke_0400a.jpg?1779454132","poster_credits":"(c)Jean Katambayi Mukendi - photo: Frank Sperling, Berlin","actors":"Jean Katambayi Mukendi"},{"id":37529,"title":"Mamba muntu","date_begin":"2025-01-01","poster_image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/mhka_ensembles_production/assets/public/000/095/932/large/2026-02-18_Kunstwerke_0397a.jpg?1779454964","poster_credits":"(c)Jean Katambayi Mukendi - photo: Frank Sperling, Berlin","actors":"Jean Katambayi Mukendi"},{"id":37530,"title":"Titan","date_begin":"2025-01-01","poster_image":null,"poster_credits":null,"actors":"Jean Katambayi Mukendi"},{"id":37533,"title":"Encendedor","date_begin":"2025-01-01","poster_image":null,"poster_credits":null,"actors":"Jean Katambayi Mukendi"},{"id":37534,"title":"N'ATO","date_begin":"2025-01-01","poster_image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/mhka_ensembles_production/assets/public/000/095/933/large/2026-02-18_KW_1570a.jpg?1779455579","poster_credits":"(c)Jean Katambayi Mukendi - photo: Frank Sperling, Berlin","actors":"Jean Katambayi Mukendi"}]}