Films

This book explores how Rinus Van de Velde transformed sketches into handmade sets for three films: The Villagers, La Ruta Natural, and A Life in a Day. It will be published with a vinyl disc of Joachim Badenhorst's soundtracks, coinciding with the Abby Museum's opening on 9 November 2024 (Kortrijk, Belgium). Text in English, French and Dutch.

First publication about the widely discussed films of Rinus Van de Velde

Rinus Van de Velde (b. 1983) is one of the most talked-about contemporary artists. Since 2019, this artistic all-rounder has added the medium of film to his wide-ranging oeuvre of drawings, installations and ceramics. This publication provides insight into how his amazing films and the beautiful handmade sets are created.

In The Villagers the viewer enters Van de Velde’s world. An important role is played by the 17 life-size cardboard sets on which he worked for two years. Narrative evolved into a more abstract form of expression in La Ruta Natural. For this second film, which follows a surreal road trip, Van de Velde had a mask made resembling his face. His most recent film, A Life in a Day, is introspective and shows the inner workings of the artist. The result is an intimate and pure voyage of discovery in which Van de Velde analyses himself from a distance. Through impersonations, constructed lies, and appropriations, he comes closer to uncovering the truth about his own identity and artistry.

Numerous stills, drawings, sculptures, props, studio and exhibition views bring Van de Velde’s films to life in this impressive book, for which author Timon Karl Kaleyta wrote the texts.

Films will be published together with a vinyl pressing of Joachim Badenhorst’s films' soundtracks.

Text in English, French and Dutch.

Rinus Van de Velde is one of the most talked-about contemporary artists in Belgium. In his early period he was mainly known for his monumental charcoal drawings, but he soon developed into an all-round artist through his use of different media. Using installations, film, charcoal, ceramics and pencil drawings, Van de Velde explores his fictional biography.