Krabbedans, Eindhoven. Photo: Bas Gijselhart                             ENLARGE IMAGE

Cosmology is an ancient science trying to understand the Universe, in a physical, philosophical, religious and metaphysical way. Amongst other things it tries to fathom how Man relates to his surroundings and their possible Maker. I decided to make a show that included a Cosmic model of the Universe in a broad sense. My model existed of free floating sculptures made out of balloons and party products. Aesthetically I borrowed elements from Warhol's “Silver Clouds” installation and Tomas Saraceno's floating gardens.

The project consisted of 5 parts; the Cosmic model with floating sculptures made out of balloons and party products, a video with a Valentine's balloon, a giant mirrorball throwing star-shaped projections through the gallery, a small sculpture that looked like a football made out of game parts and a brass band playing mostly local Dutch (Brabantian) tunes relating to life, home or friendship. The most important parts were the floating balloon sculptures. The most fun part was the brass band.

The installation was an invitation to all visitors to participate in my parallel universe and to keep the happy installation going.  Sometimes sculptures would drift off and had to be recollected by visitors or gallery-attendants. Often the balloons had to be refilled or rebalanced by whomever was around. We also did a ritual in honour of the largest floating sculpture; a giant ball that slowly moved through the gallery space. Everybody threw confetti and glitters at it that were shaped like hearts, stars, wedding-cakes or -rings.

My dad wheeled my mum frantically around in her wheel-chair at the music of the brass-band. I asked her wether she liked my exhibition, she answered she was a bit bored.

Shortly after doing this exhibition in Eindhoven I decided to move back to my hometown permanently. My mother passed away a few weeks later.

                                                        the “Smarteez”

WATCH FULL VIDEO OF THE EVENT HERE

WATCH MORE VIDEO FOOTAGE OF THE EVENT HERE

WATCH THE “VALENTINE’S BALLOON” VIDEO HERE

If you can read Dutch then this catalogue text might be interesting for you.

BACK TO TOP OF PAGE

>>

<<