Galerie Ron Mandos proudly presents Cabinet of Curiosities by Hans Op de Beeck. Op de Beeck’s newest series of sculptures is a contemporary interpretation of the Wunderkammer – a cabinet filled with a wide range of curiosities. This longstanding tradition of collecting cultural and natural objects originates from the European Renaissance. With his work, Op de Beeck reflects on our complex society and the universal questions of meaning and mortality that resonate within it. The exhibition will be on view from 8 September until 27 October 2018.
The monochrome grey display cases of Cabinet of Curiosities show a variety of sculptural interpretations of memorable objects. These ash-grey artefacts resemble fossilized gems or archaeological finds, brought together by a fictive, anonymous collector. The display cases seem to have been stripped of all their sheen and left behind as silent, abandoned units. The collections of curiosities in each cabinet bridge the thin line between valuable and worthlessness, uniqueness and banality, emphasising the importance of stories to bring a still object to life.
Simultaneously with Cabinet of Curiosities, Sea of Tranquillity will be on view at The National Maritime Museum, which will run until 9 June 2019. The exhibition presents a dark, mysterious picture of a mythical cruise ship, featuring an immersive, atmospheric film with no dialogue. Op de Beeck composed the film music. In addition, Sea of Tranquillity presents an illuminated model ship, display cases as well as lifelike sculptures.