Appearances

Pretty, average, striking or deceptive, nothing influences our judgment of our surroundings and the fellow beings that live in it like appearances. The fact that we rely mainly on our visual sense to determine the degree of truth behind things explains why we are so prone to fall for what the rest of our sensory perceptions has ruled out: a palace that pops up out of nowhere smack in the middle of a desert, a guiding light on marshy ground at night, vase or woman, anyone? It's safe to say we don't need to be tricked into marrying an Armani-clad con man to realise that we rely more on what our eyes tell us than on common sense.

Still, appearances are also highly enjoyable. Even when very little, we already have a penchant for symmetry, for pretty faces and balanced proportions. And everyone who has made it from being very little into his teenage years knows that nothing will ever surpass the importance of looks: The sudden growth of a pimple on an unsuspecting forehead has all the potential for a major disaster. (Gee, why don't you issue a press release?)

The fun, though, doesn't stop here. In due time, the focus of attention shifts from one's face and its unruly appearance down to one's breasts/buttocks/male sexual organs and their relative disappearance compared to the increasing size of other body parts over the next few decades. To counter that trend, we go to great lengths; a whole industry is built around it. Why, even in death and almost six feet under, our relatives try make us look better than we ever did when still in this world.

To make anappearance, to keep up appearances, to appear out of nowhere, to be of noble appearance, by all appearances, to disappear into oblivion… The word 'appearance' itself is just as ambiguous as our attitudes towards it.

This time, students, teachers and others (read: 'the authors') will try to impress you not only with their stunning looks, but also with their ingenious insights into the strange workings of our minds when it comes to the – occasionally unfounded – trust bestowed upon our eyes. Go and see for yourselves!

Date: 26. April 2007
Start: 20:15
Admission: 1.00 €