Who?, Triennale de Bruges, 2024

A pair of bronze boots stands on Speelmansrei. They seem to be resting or walking leisurely on the surface of the water. As if they belong to a larger sculpture: has it been dismantled or is it still under construction?

As suggested by the title, Who? is a work that invites us to speculate on the subject of this sculptural installation. The work can be seen as a monument in doubt. Incomplete and devoid of identity, it raises multiple questions. The patina and historical appearance of the boots would suggest that they have been here a long time. Who do the boots belong to, and what is the story behind this presence-cum-absence? Beyond the question of identity, the work challenges us to think about who has the right to be represented in the public space. Who is visible? Who has a voice? And who is qualified to write these urban narratives?