Artist: Adrien Tirtiaux
Exhibition title: Fragments of Infinity
Venue: mariondecannière, Antwerp, Belgium
Date: April 29 – May 27, 2018
Photography: all images copyright and courtesy of the artist and mariondecannière, Antwerp
In his works, Adrien Tirtiaux searches for the (im)possibilities of construction. Often, these are – theoretical or practical– transboundary architectural interferences that take away the obvious or introduce the peculiar. The form is usually purely functional, the appearance determined by a careful configuration of raw building materials. The works furthermore originate in a convergence of a number of associations, layering meaning on several levels.
Tirtiaux simultaneously expresses the potential and inability of construction (and with it our imagination). That this ironic character may be interpreted humorously, is appa-rent from the artist’s regular reference to Belgian comic culture.
In ‘Fragments of Infinity’ the artist emphasizes an endlessness within these architectu-ral structures, by suggesting a virtual continuation. This is done by demonstrating both model and copy, or cause and effect, or by playing with the scale or our expectations. The result is a theoretical loop that is practically unattainable.
Key pieces are Logarithme ne perd rien pour attendre, a sculpture that grows exponenti-ally with every addition, Fifty Shades of Grey, a new adaptation of a construction element developed by the artist, and l’Autre pouvoir de l’ellipse, with which Tirtiaux proposes the possibility of a ceiling painting that adapts to any space.
For his first solo show with mariondecannière, Adrien Tirtiaux presents a selection of new works and spatial explorations: prototypes at various scales, expandable sculptu-res, almost functional modular devices, adaptable site-specific works and further more or less visionary ideas.
Adrien Tirtiaux, Fragments of Infinity, 2018, exhibition view, mariondecannière, Antwerp
Adrien Tirtiaux, Fragments of Infinity, 2018, exhibition view, mariondecannière, Antwerp
Adrien Tirtiaux, Europe Without Borders, 2018, Brass, Flyer
Adrien Tirtiaux, Europe Without Borders, 2018, Brass, Flyer
Adrien Tirtiaux, Plasterboard Studies, 2018, Plasterboard, cardboard, foam, wood, paint
Adrien Tirtiaux, Prototype for an endless column, 2016, Reinforced concrete, wood
Adrien Tirtiaux, Fragments of Infinity, 2018, exhibition view, mariondecannière, Antwerp
Adrien Tirtiaux, Fifty Shades of Grey, 2017/2018, 108 Tirtules, wood
Adrien Tirtiaux, Two Nails (Hommage à Lagaffe), 2017, Wood, hammers, power screwdriver
Adrien Tirtiaux, Fragments of Infinity, 2018, exhibition view, mariondecannière, Antwerp
Adrien Tirtiaux, Prouvé au vent, 2017/2018, Marker and screentone on paper
Adrien Tirtiaux, Prouvé au vent, 2017/2018, Marker and screentone on paper
Adrien Tirtiaux, Portable Continuous Monument, 2006/2010, Box with notepad and comic page, edition of 25
Adrien Tirtiaux, Fragments of Infinity, 2018, exhibition view, mariondecannière, Antwerp
Adrien Tirtiaux, Alles fliegt Ford, 2017/2018, La Reine des Ruines, 2016/2018, MONUMENTALE ACADEMIE, 2012/2018, l’Aventure dans la savane, ca.1988/2018, Approcher la ligne claire, 2016/2018, Fine Art Prints on Ilford Paper, 59,4 x 84 cm each, edition of 8 + 2.a.p.
Adrien Tirtiaux, Autoportrait en maison mitoyenne (self-portrait as a row house), 2016, Model, various materials
Adrien Tirtiaux, l’Autre pouvoir de l’ellipse, 2018, Wood, plexiglas, light bulb, metal, neoprene, ceiling painting
Adrien Tirtiaux, Fragments of Infinity, 2018, exhibition view, mariondecannière, Antwerp
Adrien Tirtiaux, Maquette à l’échelle, 2018, Ladder, multiplex
Adrien Tirtiaux, Logarithme ne perd rien pour attendre, 2012/2018, Various materials, dimensions variable