Yaël Kempf at Kunsthaus Essen

“Now, however, in memory recaptured through daydreams, it is hard to say through what syncretism the attic is at once small and large, warm and cool, always comforting.” (Gaston Bachelard, The Poetics of Space)

The exhibition “Annunciation” by Yaël Kempf invites viewers into a world of poetic contemplation and mystical symbolism. Inspired by the Italian Renaissance painter Francesco del Cossa’s depiction of the Annunciation (1470-1472), Kempf’s work delves into the enigmatic incarnation of spirit within the physical form, accentuated by the presence of a snail. This snail serves as a muse for Kempf, prompting profound reflection on its symbolism and thematic resonance.

Drawing from Gaston Bachelard’s La Poétique de l’espace (1957, Paris), “Annunciation” uses the snail as a guide for a poetic journey. Bachelard’s philosophy suggests that space transcends its material confines, becoming a realm for imagination and introspection. The snail’s deliberate pace fosters an intimate, contemplative experience, mirroring the intimate spaces Bachelard describes. This measured slowness invites the soul to immerse itself deeply into the poetic nuances of Kempf’s creations.