Hans Theys


About two sculptures by Hans Wuyts


1

A pavilion of aubergine coloured construction plates is positioned in a space. The height of the pavilion is based on the standard sizes of the used plates. The pavilion is four plates long and two plates wide. I like the economical, clear and essential structure of the pavilion. One of the plates functions as a door. I go inside. On my left side there is a wooden bench, which is part of the total construction. Two speakers are located inside the bench. On my right side there is a video projection playing which covers the whole backside of the pavilion.

The film consists of a series of scenes where two identical men try to place a plate in an empty space with a concrete floor and white painted walls. In the film you observe an artist who is trying to make decisions, who is doubting, who is trying out, who is suffering, who is changing his opinion and so on. The artist says about this work:

‘I use the motif of a twin to visualize the duel between the artist and himself. I wanted to make a copy of myself and show how the making of an artwork forces the artist to make choices. By the making of these choices it seems as if there are two artists involved. The work makes you think about how a painter works, he paints a bit, takes a step backwards to look at the painting, changes some things and so on. Generally I make installations where I start from a border within the space. I try to manipulate or move this border, so you get an inside-out situation’.


2

A construction, made of three wooden panels, which looks like a house. By pushing a button, the viewer can control the construction. The house can shrink and expand.
The viewer can activate an engine and a turning jackscrew which make the two walls move autonomously through the space. The slanting roof moves carefully on a small wheel together with the walls.

The construction strikes by its straightforwardness and its simple comment on architecture and sculpture, but also through humour.


Montagne de Miel, 21 March 2005.