With Love Nieuw West 3
This exhibition explores inclusive relations and the dynamics between the involved sides. How does the ethics of erotics, and sexuality become embodied? What are the conditions for equality in the relations? The accent is not only on human relations but also between materials. The participating artists are Sarah Ben Messaoud and Lilian Beentjes. The public program was presented by Andrius Derevjancenko.
The performance by Lilian Beentjes
The Revenge Of The Subaltern
Tufted rugs by Sarah Ben Messaoud
These rug invite queer audiences, particularly those connected to Arab and Islamic cultures, into a dialogue about the rich, complex histories of gender, sexuality, and beauty. Traditionally, the voices of the subaltern — marginalized identities excluded from historical recordswere silenced, especially regarding intimate dynamics between elite men and younger, passive individuals. What might these individuals have shared about love, identity, and self-expression if they hadn’t been erased by patriarchal and colonial narratives?
Anticipation of Touch
Mixed media installation, 2024 by Lilian Beentjes
For the series called Anticipation of Touch, Lilian researches the dynamic interactions between various materials through sculpture and installation. She explores what she describes as the “erotics” of materials: how they become active and animated through their relationships with one another. What is the flow of energy between different objects? What function does the in between have? How will the materials perform when combined together? Through this research, she explores dialogues between space, objects, proximity, distance, and the nuances of touch—or the lack thereof.
While creating, Lilian works to dissolve hierarchies among materials and practices; a rhinestone is as serious as welded metal, emotion weighs equally with rationality, and objects are free to embody multiple functions.
Tufted into this piece is the tension between traditional interpretations and emerging queer and feminist voices within Muslim communities. Each thread challenges the rigid binaries imposed by colonial and patriarchal forces, reclaiming beauty as a celebration of fluid self-definition and resistance. Here, historical reflections meet contemporary struggles, telling stories of queer Muslims carving out spaces to be themselves and reclaiming narratives often deemed incompatible with their identities. This rug serves as a reminder: to be Muslim and queer is not only possible but part of a legacy of questioning, reimagining, and creating inclusive spaces for all. Beauty, love, and individuality are embraced here as acts of resilience and belonging.
Sarah Ben Messaoud (1994) is a creative from Amsterdam Nieuw-West. With her background in digital design and sociology, she translates contemporary discourses into performative poetry and tapestry art.
