City of Refuge IV

We all need security, while at the same time longing for freedom. Inspired by this contradiction, Berlinde de Bruyckere transforms the Turbinenhalle into a walkthrough installation. Its title is taken from a song by Nick Cave, which itself was based on an original gospel song by Blind Willie Johnson. City of Refuge IV seeks to pay tribute to all those seeking shelter and to those who provide it – invoking compassion and empathy and investigating the duality of human nature. This is symbolised by two guardian angel sculptures, framing the sonorous and audiovisual installation. Far from kind and helpful, these grave figures foreshadow both sorrow and hope. Materials such as wax, used blankets and other textiles, wood, animal hair and tanned animal skins are fused, resulting in hybrid sculptures in which figures such as humans, animals, nature and the divine are combined.