How authentic can immitation be?

M welcomes Lola Daels as its new artist in residence

September 7, 2023

Lola Daels (b. 1990, Jette) begins her residency at M Leuven on 11 September. She will have her own M studio at Cas-co for a five-month period. Lola Daels’ work poses questions about authenticity and sustainability. Her research currently focuses on outmoded imitation techniques, which she reinvents and tries to make sustainable.

“Every year, M Leuven welcomes two artists in residence to Cas-co,” says Bert Cornillie, Alderman for Culture and Chairman of M’s Board of Directors. “They are given the artistic freedom to devote themselves to their work for a five-month period, completely undisturbed, and are given the best possible support and guidance. For a young artist, such a residency is invaluable.”

“Lola Daels’ work has been shown nationally in group exhibitions at Bozar and the Extra City Kunsthal, among others, as well as at Korea’s Art Sonje Center Seoul and Denmark’s Kunsthal Aarhus. One of her sculptures is currently displayed in the Middelheim Sculpture Park. As a resident at M, Lola will have the opportunity to further expand her network within the Belgian arts field,” says Laure Vanrijckeghem, coordinator of the M-residency programme.

Imitation techniques

What does authenticity mean in a globalised world where everything is reproduced? Lola Daels departs from her own collection of souvenirs and found objects, many of which have an ambiguous relationship to authenticity. They pretend to be unique but are often mass produced. By integrating these artefacts into a different environment, Daels not only asks critical questions about their ecological and socio-political context, but also interrogates the impact of humans on the world today.

Lola Daels became fascinated by traditional, disused imitation techniques during her research into authenticity. Reproductions of natural phenomena, such as marble and caves, are often created with toxic products. In collaboration with specialists, she explores contemporary, alternative ways to continue the craft in a more sustainable way.