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Exhibition | SHAME! Exploring Masculinities

23 October 2020—28 February 2021 in H401, Amsterdam

  • The exhibition SHAME! Exploring Masculinities explores the representation of masculinity in visual culture since the 1960s.
  • The opening of the exhibition coincides with the release of the book Shame! and Masculinity in the Valiz PLURAL series.

What: Exhibition/Book Launch
When: 23 October 2020—28 February 2021. Open on Tuesdays to Fridays from 12:00—18:00
Where: H401, Herengracht 401, 1017 BP Amsterdam, entrance at the Beulingstraat.
Organisation: H401
Language: English and Dutch.


Since the #MeToo movement, the connection between masculinity and power has been closely monitored. The focus on 'toxic masculinity' influences our perception of male sexuality and significantly affects men's self-image and self-esteem. Men are embarrassed by others and they feel embarrassed too. This program explores and researches the representation of male shame, nudity, fatherhood, violence, rape, fascism and virility, men and war from both male and female perspectives. The programme presents contemporary works that address the complexity and contradictions of these socio-cultural constructions and realities and combines a scientific approach with the artistic perspective, personal stories, conversations and workshops.

Curator Ernst van Alphen shows how the representation of masculinity in visual culture has changed significantly since the 1960's, with a.o. politician, stateswoman, dick by dawn, enlarged by Ina van Zyl, the universal souvenirseries by Natasja Kensmil, the soundscape special boy by Philip Miller and an extensive print cabinet by Marlene Dumas with never before publicly shown work such as: the sexuality of christ, man bound to his own sight, whatever happened to the greeks! And with the works of Jeanette Christensenla reproduction interdit, Arnoud Hollemanfamily and friends, sculptures of alabaster and soapstone by Hans Hovy, a video work by Nalini Malani and chronophotography, nrs 1 to 5 by Artur Żmijewski.

On 22 October, Valiz, in collaboration with H401, will release the book SHAME! and Masculinity (ed. Ernst van Alphen)with contributions by Wahbi Long, Maaike Meijer, Tijs Goldschmidt, Adeola Enigbokan, Ernst van Alphen and visual essays by the participating artists.

Due to Corona regulations only a limited amount of visitors is able to visit the exhibition at a time. Opening times may be changed according to the latest health and safety protocols. There is no regular vernissage. An online registration of a ‘private viewing’ by curator Ernst van Alphen and participating artists will be made available online. For activities and updates surrounding this exhibition and the latest news on possibilities for visiting, please see the website of H401.
Upcoming activities include an artist talk on Wednesday January 27 and a conversation on the topics of shame and masculinity between author Maaike Meijer with Glenn Helberg on Wednesday February 17.