Hans De Pelsmacker

The mere fact that Buysse stayed two years in the United States and was domiciled at Den Haag for thirty-five years, gave him the opportunity to take a broader view of the world than his Flemish contemporaries. He became a privileged observer of his time. Buysse?s work, however, is limited in place, time and events. But due to his power of sharp observation it serves as a clear window to the outside world.

The visualization of this observation is the starting point of the design.

The design consists of two identical bronze vertical volumes, arranged symmetrically mirror wise. Each volume is a 90° standing corner element of two different widths and approximately 15 cm thick. Quadrangular openings are made randomly in the surface.

The outside of each volume is flat and high-glossy; the inside has a texture comparable to that of the backs of books as they are arranged in a bookcase. From the outside the spectator sees two reflecting perforated volumes as open books that mark out the inner space. Inside the spectator is surrounded by books in a room that is too small. Through those books he or she can see the surrounding environment. The place and the events in Buysse?s literary work are always seen from a narrow-minded local context, but as regards content they offer a wide perspective on the world.

Material: bronze
Commissioned by: Province of East Flanders in cooperation with Comeet Eeklo
Closed contest, not selected