Master Humphrey's Clock: preparations

In the present instant, the host or author, in opening his new establishment, provided no
bill of fare*. Sensible of the difficulties of such an undertaking in its infancy, he
preferred that it should make its own way, silently and gradually, or make no way at all.
Charles Dickens

February 23 - April 6, 2008 Opening: February 22, 2008

In the preparatory phase The Shadow Cabinet — the former director’s office — has been chosen by the Curatorial Programme 07/08 as the temporary headquarters of “Master Humphrey's Clock”. From February 22nd until April 6th this room will be periodically open to the public for presentations, discussions and other events. This public programme will be tailored to introduce and unwrap the potential for transformation that is crucial to “Master Humphrey’s Clock”.

Opening hours: Thursdays and Fridays from 2 to 6 pm

“Master Humphrey’s Clock”, explores the many intersections between circulation and storytelling. The title of the project has been borrowed from the English ‘realist’ writer Charles Dickens’ periodical (1840-41), once intended to present a variety of stories through the narrative of one character: the elderly Master Humphrey, and his treasure of manuscripts. Part of this serial publication was later transformed into a novel called “The Old Curiosity Shop” (1841). The participants of the Curatorial Programme 07/08 found a copy of the story of Master Humphrey on a bookshelf in a second hand shop in Leidsche Rijn, a new suburban development outside of Utrecht. The logics of the second hand shop, along with ideas of circulation, memory and storytelling inform their final project “Master Humphrey’s Clock”, which will take place at a number of sites in May 2008. The central exhibition will be held in a building designed by Dutch conceptual artist Stanley Brouwn and architect Bertus Mulder in Leidsche Rijn.

The Shadow Cabinet will open for a different purpose on April 18, 2008, to accompany the main exhibition in Leidsche Rijn, Utrecht.

* Bill of fare: a list of items or events in a presentation; a programme.