Hans Theys

The M HKA reserves its fifth floor for surprise events and intimate pop-up presentations. INBOX is a place that both inspires and surprises, and grants us a glimpse into the universe of passionate thinkers and doers. With INBOX, M HKA creates a physical space in which the museum addresses often-reccuring questions. In between the various events, we show a selection of our collection work, paying particular attention to video art.

“Yambo! Twenty-five years after my first maritime-artistic adventures, I am back on a beach with an artist. I can see how he is pouring concrete into a five metre- trench in the sand, how he stacks a plexiglass sand tower and how, by wrapping foil around four reinforcing bars planted in the sand, he is building a three-meter sand column with bulging rolls of fat from the sand. Connected with thin wire, dancing bits of styrofoam imitating the surf, tapping the keys like a piano, transparent plastic shells reminiscent of air bubbles, a photographically camouflaged wooden disc is being caressed by delicate waves. Nearby, on the quay, are wonderful stacks of different coloured fishing nets. The light is scattering invisible colours over the sand, water and air. The concrete bunkers are looking down on us. The shadows of the totems are tilting. The plexiglass tower is reflecting a luminous line on the sand. Above the horizon, the sky appears to turn pink." Hans Theys, Ostend, April 7, 2015