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Although I had artistic imagination and ideas ever since childhood, it took a long time to decide to dedicate myself to sculpture as the most important theme.
In the meantime I studied architecture, mathematics, and psychology, and I worked as a draftsman, university teacher, and methodologist.
Since 1995 I have dedicated myself to sculpture, with the aim of inventing simple and beautiful shapes based on explicit ideas. My sculptures are answers to questions such as: What happens if ... ? How many ways are there to ... ? Is it possible to ... ? and so on. The sculptures are based on formal conditions which are inherent to the design. In each design I try to use a minimum number of lines to achieve the right shape, while each curved line has to be as simple as possible. I like to deviate from the straight line, but not too much
Example 1: Mathematical furniture
My mathematical furniture was conceived in response to the question: Is it possible to define a piece of furniture in a purely mathematical way?
The pieces proceed from the definition of a geometric construction using a ruler and compass. Starting with a given point as the centre of a circle, one can create a configuration of straight lines and arcs. Choosing certain lines as cuts and others as folds, one can construct a completely defined table. Using different lines as cuts and folds can produce a chair or a cupboard.
Example 2: Polyfocal forms
In 1973 I examined the properties of the successors of circles and ellipses by generalizing the geometric definition: the locus of points with a given distance from a given K (circle if K = 1, ellipse if K = 2, polyfocal if K > 2). I found a nice way to construct polyfocal curves in 2D, and later on I succeeded in constructing polyfocal surfaces in 3D. Beautiful shapes!
In 1995 I made a model of a trifocal solid.
Example 3: Form products
My form products can be seen as material algebra: wooden blocks as vector products A x B or A x B x C in which the vectors contain shapes instead of abstract values. The product operation is done by an electric bandsaw.
In creating sculpture I feel like a mathematically orientated methodologist.
My aim is to invent simple and beautiful shapes based on an explicit thought,
but it turns out that achieving simplicity can be a very complicated process
For comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by email.
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