Inside the Mind of Hans Op de Beeck: Monumental Art with Heart

Episode 18

9/24/20243 min read

In this episode of The Installation Art Podcast, we sit down with accomplished Belgian artist Hans Op de Beeck to explore his multifaceted career spanning installation art, sculpture, theater, and film. Dive into a thoughtful conversation about balancing personal life with creating monumental installations. Key takeaways include:

• Hans’s reflections on work-life balance and not having the fear of missing out.
• Insights into the logistics of transporting and installing large-scale artworks from small studio beginnings to international exhibitions.
• His approach to learning on the job and his philosophy of infusing the essence of reality into art.
• Reflections on the longevity of large scale installation art and the financial realities of creating it.

This episode offers a deeply personal look into Hans Op de Beeck's career milestones, creative process, and future ambitions, emphasising his warm personality and dedication to his craft and his family. Perfect for artists, curators, and fans of contemporary art looking for behind-the-scenes stories of the art world.

07:01 Childhood and Early Influences
10:07 Artistic Philosophy and Pandemic Reflections
11:05 Project-Based Creativity and Deadlines
27:46 First Museum Show and Large-Scale Installations
33:00 The Authenticity of Fake
43:14 Learning by Doing
46:08 Sea of Tranquility Project
48:55 Social Commentary Through Art
54:12 Logistical Challenges of Large-Scale Art
57:07 Permanent Installations and Future Prospects
59:44 Interactive Art and Public Engagement
01:07:51 Funding and Financial Realities
01:15:04 Studio Life and Team Dynamics
01:19:36 Navigating the Art World and Personal Reflections
01:33:14 Future Ambitions and Dream Projects
01:41:32 Current Projects and Collaborations

Hans op de Beeck ins based in Brussels, Belgium. You can find out more about his work on his website hansopdebeeck.com and on his Instagram @hans_op_de_beeck https://www.instagram.com/hans_op_de_beeck/?hl=en

He is represented by:
Galleria Continua https://www.galleriacontinua.com/artists/hans-op-de-beeck-53
Galerie Krinzinger https://galerie-krinzinger.at/artists/hans-op-de-beeck/
Ron Mandos gallery https://ronmandos.nl/artist/hans-op-de-beeck/
Templon New York https://www.templon.com/exhibitions/whispered-tales/
Pilevnely gallery https://www.pilevneli.com/artists/32-hans-op-de-beeck/overview/
GSA gallery https://www.instagram.com/pilevneligallery/?hl=en

You can see his work in person at Templon Gallery in NYC, November 7 - December 21, 2024.

Also mentioned in this episode:
Art Basel: https://www.artbasel.com/?lang=en | https://www.instagram.com/artbasel | @artbasel
Documenta: https://www.documenta.de/en/about | https://www.instagram.com/documentafifteen/
Venice Biennale: https://www.labiennale.org/en/art/2024 | https://www.instagram.com/labiennale/ | @BiennaleChannel
Nordic Watercolor Museum: https://www.akvarellmuseet.org/en | https://www.instagram.com/nordiskaakvarellmuseet/ | @NordiskaAkvarellmuseet
Anselm Kiefer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anselm_Kiefer | https://www.instagram.com/anselm_kiefer/
Schauspiel Frankfurt: https://www.schauspielfrankfurt.de/international/ | https://www.instagram.com/schauspiel_frankfurt/
Tate Modern: https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern | https://www.instagram.com/tate | @Tate
Coen brothers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coen_brothers
Raymond Carver: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Carver
Peter Doig: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Doig | https://www.instagram.com/PeterDoig/
Peter Jackson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Jackson | @PeterJackson
The Humanity Museum in the Hague: https://www.museumofhumanity.nl/ https://www.instagram.com/museumofhumanity | @museumofhumanity8967
Gemeentemuseum: https://www.kunstmuseum.nl/en | https://www.instagram.com/kunstmuseum.nl/ | @KunstmuseumDenHaag
Roel Arkesteijn: https://hisk.edu/lecturers/roel.arkesteijn
La Biennale de Lyon: https://www.labiennaledelyon.com/en | https://www.instagram.com/biennaledelyon/ | @Labiennaledelyonart
Amos Rex Museum: https://amosrex.fi/en/ | https://www.instagram.com/amoskonst/ | @amosrexartmuseum
Towada Art Center: https://towadaartcenter.com/en/ | https://www.instagram.com/towadaartcenter/
Andrei Tarkovsky: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrei_Tarkovsky
Pixar: https://www.pixar.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/pixar/ | @pixar
Rijksakademie: https://www.rijksakademie.nl/ | https://www.instagram.com/rijksakademie/
Opera House of Stuttgart: https://www.staatsoper-stuttgart.de/en/ | https://www.instagram.com/staatsoperstuttgart/ | @StaatsoperStuttgart
Metropolis by Fritz Lang: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolis_(1927_film)
Mori Art Museum: https://www.mori.art.museum/en/
Fumio Nanjo: https://nanjo.com/en/about-ceo/ | https://www.instagram.com/n_and_a_art/ | @NA_nanjo
Tony Cragg: https://www.tony-cragg.com/
Kunstpalast Düsseldorf: https://www.kunstpalast.de/en/ | https://www.instagram.com/kunstpalast/ | @museumkunstpalast
Kröller-Müller Museum: https://krollermuller.nl/en | https://www.instagram.com/krollermullermuseum/
Mark Manders: https://www.markmanders.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/mark.manders/
Bunraku: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunraku
Ursula Krinzinger: https://galerie-krinzinger.at/ | https://www.instagram.com/galeriekrinzinger

Photos used in this episode courtesy of Hans op de Beeck.

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