Over 35 years, Jef Cornelis directed more than 200 films on architecture, visual arts and literature for Dutch speaking Belgian television. Rarely screened in Quebec, his documentaries look at --often with some irony-- the workings and internal conflicts of a “remote, critical, ambiguous” art world: its ceremonies and consecrations, the power of its market, its social pretensions.

Documenta 4 (1968), 53 min.
The politicization of society in the 1960’s was felt in Kassel that year. Documenta 4 went through an internal generational conflict and a debate played out around the fragile relationship between aesthetic judgment and democratic forms of reaching consensus.

Sonsbeek Buiten de Perken (1971), 46 min.
The 1971 Sonsbeek exhibition showcased artworks by local and international artists all over the Dutch territory. The film looks at the interactions between local and global art scenes and questions the assumption of art being open and accessible.

XXXIII Biennale Internazionale d’Arte Venezia (1966), 24 min.
Jef Cornelis and his team portray the goings-on at the thirty-third edition of the Venice Bienniale’s previews. Even by Cornelis’ usual standards, this report is particularly ironic. “Indeed the crisis continues, but the show must go on,” the voice-over comments.

Films are in French/Dutch/English, with English subtitles.

Suggested donation of $5 at the door to pay for the films' distribution rights, no one will be turned away.

articule's gallery is wheelchair accessible but unfortunately not its washroom.