René! I’m Still Standing in the Grote Kerk Breda

Art Meets Music
The centuries-old tombstone Le Squelette takes centre stage: a raw homage to René van Chalon, the first Prince of Orange-Nassau. René died young on the French battlefield and was subsequently forgotten. His tragic fate still evokes many emotions today: love, loss, loneliness, and vulnerability. Twelve (inter)national artists respond to these feelings with their paintings, sculptures, photographs, and video works. Not only art plays a role in processing emotions; music also contributes. That is why Pepijn Lanen (also known as Faberyayo from De Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig) has selected a matching song for each artwork that reflects the feeling or story behind it.

Old Love, New Love
A quick trip back in time: in the exhibition, you can see round portraits (tondi) of René and his wife Anna. These mini-paintings are actually the original Tinder profiles: they travelled across Europe to introduce potential partners to each other. Especially for the exhibition, the portraits of René and Anna from the Rijksmuseum are coming to Breda. Between the portraits, you'll see a bundle of love poems from the Royal Library, probably a wedding gift from René. In addition to René and Anna's centuries-old love story, there is also room for a futuristic romance. Artist Alicia Framis married an AI hologram and demonstrates how digital love, as a response to loneliness, can look in our time.

For the Art Enthusiast
In René! I’m Still Standing, you will also see a number of artworks that have never been exhibited before.

• Victor Sonna: Sunflower to Heaven: 52 distorted portraits depicting the disordered thoughts of someone in mental distress.
• Laurence Aëgerter: Ether: a wall hanging, including fluorescent threads, about invisible energy.
• Margit Lukács & Persijn Broersen: Tears of Breda, a memorial monument made with tears donated specifically for this art installation.

More Than an Exhibition
René! I’m Still Standing is not just about viewing art. It is also a place to connect. The Grote Kerk Breda organises activities that tell you more about the exhibition, create moments of peace and space for yourself, or explore relevant topics more deeply.

Additionally, there are special events for young people, in collaboration with creative partners and… the Offline Club. During the first event in Breda, the Grote Kerk transforms into a Digital Detox Dome. A morning without screens, but with genuine connections and new energy.