Fremdkörper (2021)

For "Het Voorstel," a public project in the border city of Menen, I have brought forth a true-to-life submarine tower. More pictures of the finished "Fremdkörper"-sculpture may be found here.

To create a life-sized submarine tower sculpture, I followed a few key steps:

I began by creating a small clay model of the sculpture. This was a rough draft that helped me visualize the overall design. Next, I used that clay model to make a detailed computer design. This design included the measurements and specifications for the steel framework that would support the sculpture.

Using the computer design, I developed and calculated the steel framework, making sure it was sturdy and well-constructed. I also used a modular framework to make the sculpture easy to transport after it was assembled. Once the steel framework was built, I assembled it on site and bolted all the steel frames together.

The outer body of the sculpture was made from 80 unique acrylic panels, which I cast myself. These panels were then bolted onto the steel framework. The acrylic panels were mixed with concrete to create a unique and surreal look, giving it a concrete-like appearance that one wouldn't typically associate with a submarine.

It was important that the steel framework was visible in some areas to give the viewer a sense of the structure and raw power of the steel. And the steel was left uncoated, and the rusting process was left undisturbed, so it was all part of the sculpture.