Henk Visch I like the way you are

Opening: 25.03.2011, opening hour: 18.00

Open until: 21.04.2011

Henk Visch is one of the most renowned Dutch artists. He creates sculptures, objects, drawings. He made a couple of dozen of projects in public space around the world.

Visch’s art is subject to many interpretations. His works, which are either figurative representations, or combinations of geometric forms, invite us to enter an enigmatic visual game that refers to some archaic totems.

If we look through the photos of his works on the website (www.henkvisch.nl), we will be impressed by the number of sculptures he created, but we will not be able to assess their real scale. It is not until we come face to face with them, that we notice they are either big or small and, therefore, start relating to them in a certain way. It is as if we needed to find our own space when confronted with pieces of art which are placed in different positions; standing upright, hanging down, balancing, standing with their feet firmly on the ground, leaning against the wall or sitting on their haunches. Our perception is affected by our emotions and the physical space around us constructed by the artist. Although this space seems to be different each time, it always conveys a specific atmosphere so characteristic of Visch’s art.

Although the presence of a human figure is manifested only in the presence of a limb or a trunk, it is so evocative that we get the impression of being confronted with a complete whole. And yet we only get to see its fragments. Some are covered with fabric, something that protects our body from the moment we are born till the moment we die. Used in this context, it adds an existential dimension to the objects. Some are created by lines suspended in space, what gives the effect of an openwork form. Some of them are massive. Visch’s unique metaphoric way of materializing his image of the world reveals his true artistry. His ability to combine various materials such as bronze, aluminium, stone, plastic, fabric, wood and many others is also quite rare. The artists creates unusual contexts that often refer to very basic, almost primeval if not archetypal associations. They make conversations with the body, create subtle and mysterious gestures.

Anna Nawrot
tr. Magdalena Gładysz