Lingam
The lingam is a wooden or stone object in the shape of a phallus, which represents life and fertility. In Hindu and Buddhist cultures, the lingam is worshipped and revered. It is not only a fertility symbol, but also stands for a primeval creative force, a force that is strongly linked to sexual energy. In Southeast Asia, reverence for life and religion are closely linked. Lingam worship takes place frequently and in public places. In contrast, in the West, the lingam is seen mainly as a symbol of lust and sex. The exhibition LINGAM. 122 contemporary fertility symbols aims to provide artistic alternatives to our present-day Western interpretation of the lingam and, in the process, to take a fresh look at this symbol’s original, sacred context.

Fertility
The exhibition curator, Ruudt Peters, is an artist and professor at the Ädellab at Konstfack University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm, and this event marks his departure as a teacher there. His fascination with the lingam inspired him to ask artists and designers to create their own fertility symbols. These contributors explored the subject through the lens of their own experiences, each producing a personal artistic statement about fertility. To emphasize the original, sacred context of this type of object, the exhibition LINGAM. 122 contemporary fertility symbols at Museum Catharijneconvent will pair these modern-day fertility symbols with their historical predecessors. 

Selected participating artists:
Frederic Braham, Helen Britton, Iris Eichenberg, Nedda El-Asmar, Ruud-Jan Kokke, Daniel Kruger, Anders Lagombra, Suska Mackert, Ted Noten, Ruudt Peters, Zeger Reyer, Lucy Sarneel, Studio Makkink & Bey, Johanna Schweizer, Marcel Wanders, Christoph Zellweger.

Complete list of all the participating artists:
Alexander Blank Andi Gut Agnes Larsson Aurel Schiller Anders Lagombra Adam Grinovich Bussi Buhs Brune Boyer Benjamin Lignel Célio Braga Carla Castiajo Christiane Förster Constanze Schreiber Carla Nuis Carolein Smit Christoph Zellweger David Bielander Detlef Thomas Dagmar Heeser Daniel Kruger David Huycke David Taylor Daniela Hedman Erik Kuiper/Joana Meroz Evert Nijland Estela Sàez Vilanova Elisa Deval Esther Knobel Eija Mustonen Esther Jiskoot Frederic Braham Florence Lehmann Fabrice Schaefer Fredrik Ingemansson Gie Luyten Gunilla Bandolin Gesine Hackenberg Graziano Visintin Hilde de Decker Henriette Schuster Helfried Kodré Helena Lehtinen Hedda Bjerkeli Helen Britton Hanna Hedman Iris Bodemer Ineke Heerkens Iris Eichenberg Ivar Björkman Julia Walter Joop Haring Johanna Schweizer Javier Moreno Frias Jorge Manilla Johanna Dahm Julia Turner Kadri Mälk Karin Johansson Karl Fritsch Katja Prins Kim Buck Karen Pontoppidan Luzia Vogt Lucy Sarneel Lisa Walker Manfred Bischoff Miro Sazdic Manfred Nisslmüller Manuel Vilhena Monika Brugger Marc Monzo Machteld van Joolingen Marian Bijlenga Manon van Kouswijk Marianne Schliwinski Marcel Wanders Mascha Moje Michael Petry Matt Stone Nedda El-Asmar Nanna Melland Norman Weber Nelli Tanner Oliver Füting Piret Hirv Paul McClure Petra Zimmerman Peter Skubic Pedro Sequeira Peter Vermandere Peter Hoogeboom Paul Derrez Pavel Opocensky Pornpilai & Jiradej- Meemalai Rudee Tancharoen Ramon Puig Cuyas Ruudt Peters Ruud-Jan Kokke Sigurd Bronger Sergey Jivetin Sofia Björkman Sara Borgegård Sophie Hanagarth Studio Makkink&Bey Suska Mackert Sam Tho Duong Sissi Westerberg Tanel Veenre Thomas Gentille Tobias Birgersson Tarja Tuupanen Terhi Tolvanen Teja van Hoften Ted Noten Ulo Florack Udi Lagallina Volker Atrops Wolfgang Lieglein Warwick Freeman Yuka Oyama Zeger Reyer Gijs Bakker

Opening: 16 Jan 2010 at 16.00 hour

The exhibition will be accompanied bu a full-colour english-language catalogue entitled Lingam by arnoldsche art publishers.
isbn 978 – 3 89790-325-8

Museum Catharijneconvent aims to provide a broad public with greater insight into the historical and contemporary value of Christian art and culture. By showing its visitors how Christianity has influenced Dutch culture, the museum hopes to deepen their understanding of the world in which they live today. Within this context, where possible, it also presents important points of contact with other religions. Through its programme of exhibitions and activities, Museum Catharijneconvent seeks to explore the renewed interest in religions and spirituality today. The exhibition LINGAM. 122 fertility symbols is part of this larger endeavour.