In October, a unique work of art that consists of seven parts will be shown for the first and only time at the Affordable Art Fair in Amsterdam. One element of the works for sale will be a letter from the artist Sylvester Lindemulder in which he asks future owners to bring all seven parts back together in 25 years’ time.

‘Until we are reunited we shall be lonely at heart’ is the title of this work, which consists of seven photographic portraits of actors playing in The Jade Hairpin, a 16th century Chinese Opera. Lindemulder became fascinated with this ancient form of theatre, known as KunQu Theatre, when the Northern Kunqu Opera performed at the Holland Festival.

“Everything about this abstract theatre form is so different from our western visual and musical language. It makes you wonder if it is even from the same planet,” Lindemulder explains. “But underlying the story of the young Taoist nun there is a universal theme: the struggle in choosing between divine and worldly love. This mix of alienation and recognition reminds me that, even though we may seem separated from each other by cultural differences, we are nevertheless all still part of the same emotional drama.”

The title ‘Until we are reunited we shall be lonely at heart’ is the last sentence of the opera, and in Chinese consists of exactly seven characters: 暮 雨 朝 云 两 下 单.

Each portrait is unique, bearing the calligraphy of one of the characters, so that together they form the title of the work. Lindemulder will ask future owners to reunite the seven portraits in 25 years, and thus make the sentence and the artwork complete. Lindemulder about this future reuniting: “It is not only because I like happy endings, but especially because Oneness is the first principle of Taoism.”

About the artist:
Sylvester Lindemulder (1969) is an artist who lives and works in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. After studying MultiMedia at The Royal College of Art in London, he has been pursuing a very successful career as creative director in the entertainment world and creative industries. In 2010 he decided to step out of his comfort zone by leaving his job and concentrating on the creation of art. He now combines his two great passions, photography and mysticism, through which he seeks to express the mystical experience.

visit the websites:
Sylvester Lindemulder
Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam