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Jan de Cock (1976)

While enrolled at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent, in the 3D Multimedia department, he presents himself as a self-taught artist.

He conceives and actualizes projects comprised of multiple “figures”, with parts that can be reused in future works. The large modules made of raw wood (particle board) resemble architectural models, as used by architects. These installations possess an unfinished quality that impressively transforms the surrounding space. The viewer is compelled to position themselves in relation to the installation, sit or move around it. Hence, the artwork exists in the interaction between space, the piece itself, and the viewer. He refers to his particle board sculptures as “Denkmal”, with a house number on the back. The German word “Denkmal” means “monument”, while in Dutch it means “a form of thinking”. This is how the artist aims to reform reality, challenging the viewer’s way of thinking.

It is, in its own way, connected to the tradition of Futurist Boccioni and the rigid geometry of Modernism. He is also fascinated by the architecture of Mies van der Rohe and the highly engaged work of sculptor Constantin Meunier. Additionally, he has been influenced by Constructivism and, more recently, by the Minimalism of Donald Judd and the conceptual work of Dan Graham. In his pieces, he blends painting and cinematic references, such as those to Jean-Luc Godard. English art historian Jon Wood places it in the tradition of the modern sculpting studio, yet simultaneously identifies it as unique to contemporary studios, where people and ideas are blended. This is far more complex than traditional workshops of the past.

www.ftn-books.com has the scarce RANDSCHADE publication now available.

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