MASEREEL

The final edition of Hold the Space features a work by Italian artist Susanna Ingignoli, who was a resident at MASEREEL during the summer of 2024. Ingignoli is a multidisciplinary artist whose journey began with a deep passion for drawing. Over time, she developed a fascination with printmaking and now explores a wide range of artistic practices.

Throughout her residency at MASEREEL, Ingignoli frequently commuted between Antwerp and Kasterlee. During these travels, a small, curious door at Antwerp station caught her attention, it sparked her imagination and became the seed for her installation. She began to see this door as a magical portal, one that could instantly transport her to Kasterlee, making her journey effortless.

Inspired by this idea, Ingignoli created a whimsical world inside the vitrine, a portal that connects Antwerp and Kasterlee. For her, MASEREEL itself holds a magical aura, nestled in the forest and surrounded by local folklore like the tales of Kabouterberg (Gnome Mountain). Her installation blends elements from both places: the iconic tree roots of Kasterlee and symbolic hands referencing Antwerp’s history.

Ingignoli envisioned the artwork as an extension of the building itself. She wanted it to interact with the wall behind it, creating a site-specific piece that feels embedded in the architecture. Through layered screenprints and a trompe-l’oeil effect, the work becomes part of the space, almost as if it has always been there.

As a special touch, the door’s handle will serve as the edition of the project. With a shape inspired by a leaf, it bears the names “Kasterlee” and “Antwerpen” on either side. Only with this handle, one can imagine opening the magical door and stepping through the portal between these two places.

Find the edition here in our bookshop.