In 2005 Dutch 17th Century paintings from the Westfries Museum were stolen, which years later mysteriously appeared in the Ukraine. Recently four of them were returned. Two of which share very similar compositions, but depict two different scenes and social classes: one painting depicts food in combination with a couple drinking wine. The other painting depicts gold, coins as well as a different looking couple also here consuming wine. This standard in composition I take as starting point to the making of the collages, video and performance.
Inspired by what I consider to be a standard choreography of the official signing of protocol agreements, I use the characters in both paintings and make them exchange the objects in their paintings with one another. The standard of the paintings’ compositions is thus turned into another alternative standard composition; namely that of protocol signing. Some elements included are also taken from Crimean Scythian artefacts, which the Netherlands has also refused to return to either the Ukraine or Russia.

This project was commissioned by Hotel Maria Kapel and curated by Marie Martaire. It was part of the exhibition titled: A Second Exhibition (By Other Masters, Around The Same Subject, New Date)