BART LUTTERS
MADNESS / SANITY – Exhibition

Emotional pain has always characterized the human condition. Over the past centuries, the field of psychiatry has emerged to alleviate mental suffering and to protect the social order from those burdened by it. While modern psychiatry has undoubtedly improved the lives of many individuals, it has also created a false dichotomy between the mentally healthy and the mentally ill; the sane and the insane. In his new exhibition, visual artist Bart Lutters draws on his experience as a psychiatrist (in training), medical historian, and patient to explore the fragile distinction between madness and sanity. Can we afford to let go of this distinction? Or do we ultimately need to project our madness onto others to safeguard our own sanity?