Madelon Vriesendorp’s Subconscious Cities
An exhibition explores the creativity and imagination of an artist whose way of seeing influences architects and artists.
London now hosts an exhibition dedicated to the work of Dutch artist Madelon Vriesendorp, titled "Madelon Vriesendorp: Mind Games." The exhibition showcases over 50 works from Vriesendorp's career, highlighting her affinity for architecture and her unconventional approach to collecting.
Born nearly two centuries apart from British architect Sir John Soane, Vriesendorp and Soane share a profound connection through their dedication to architectural exploration. Located in Sir John Soane's Museum, the exhibition subtly challenges the museum's neoclassical architecture.
A centerpiece of the exhibition is Vriesendorp's 1975 piece, "Flagrant Délit," an anthropomorphic depiction of two Manhattan skyscrapers in a seductive pose. The following year, her husband, architect Rem Koolhaas, selected the painting for the cover of his influential work, "Delirious New York," further cementing its significance in contemporary urban culture.
Several paintings from this series exploring the psychological and sexual dimensions of architecture are on display, alongside a 2026 commissioned cover for the New York Review of Architecture. Additionally, Soane's original drawings, along with works by his teacher George Dance, are featured in adjacent rooms.
Vriesendorp's collection, while smaller than Soane's, is more diverse and proletarian, reflecting the eclectic styles she encountered during her time in the United States. The 50 works on display in "Mind Games" are a testament to Vriesendorp's unique perspective, transforming the banal, camp, and kitsch into a critical examination of dominant culture.
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