Hide&Seek for Guy Mortier
Objet Portrait
Hide&Seek is part of the Objet Portrait project in which Roel Vandebeek captures the identity of 9 well-known Flemish inspirations in unique objects, installations and utensils.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH GUY MORTIER
FOR OBJET PORTRAIT
YEAR 2017
From the way in which OBJET PORTRAIT was created, we can deduce that for Roel every creation is primarily an encounter. It is a dialogue with the other, which can be a person, a community, an environment, an object and so on. Actually, this involves the two most basic human questions. What is the world? Who am I? As human beings it is the task of all of us to find a relationship between these questions. That makes us who we are. We recognize both in Roel's meeting activity as a designer: his open attitude towards the world and his own freedom to interpret it. Nine people are listened to candidly about their way of being in the world. Although they are people 'of the world', with an explicit public image, they are withdrawn from this mundane image. They reflect on their own roots. How do they understand themselves in their way of being?
Armed with this human wealth, Roel then makes his own interpretation of it. He develops two objects for each of these nine people, one applied and one free. One functional, the other symbolic: the two domains, in other words, between which he constantly moves. Each of these objects is, as it were, the 'face' of the people involved in which something of their soul is expressed. But the soul of the designer also takes part in the debate. As the design process proves: it is a long, uncertain, groping road that leads from listening to speaking. Finding this connection is what it comes down to. It is a meeting between two freedoms. Why should such dialogue not be possible? Or is this a utopian idea? That is ultimately the question he confronts us with Objet Portrait.
HIDE AND SEEK
At first sight, the fact that this bookcase is located in the middle of the space is the only special feature of this image. Nothing suggests its second life: its true identity is revealed around the back where you’ll find a secret place for books in a sacred space. Guy’s impenetrable nature is reflected functionally in this design.
HET ONGRIJPBARE BOEK
Imagine how difficult it would be if you, as an enthusiastic book reader, would not be able to read, browse or take away a book that is given to you. The mystery remains in the Elusive Book: the content is unknown and unreachable but as a book it remains physically present.
Portrait photography by Lieve Blancquaert
