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The Netherlands-based art collective Rotganzen’s work is rooted in the traditions of American Pop art and the Italian Radical Design movement. Its founders, Joeri Horstink, Erik Schilp and Robin Stam fuel their practice with the drive to transform daily objects into intriguing works of art. In tune with the collective’s idea of evoking melancholy and surprise, Top of the Pops, a solo exhibition was unveiled at the Forwart Gallery in Antwerp on May 16, 2024. The showcase celebrates the 15th anniversary of Rotganzen’s illustrious journey with their first and most famous artwork, Quelle Fête collection and “emphasises its persistent vibe in a world dominated by fear and fake facts,” according to the gallery.
Symbolising a playful critique of life’s increasing absurdity, the voluminous art installations explore different materials in their designs, complementing Forwart Gallery’s mixed-media approach in its art and design curation. While the base of these reflective blobs is usually made of styrofoam and polyurethane foam, the surfaces feature reflective mosaics composed of mirror pieces.
From a mere prototype to one of the most coveted collector’s series, Rotganzen features its 2011 piece, Quelle Fête which is conceived as a “metaphor for the loss of innocence,” as per the art collective. Its vibrant melting form is a whimsical homage to bygone eras, a reminder of the glamourous club nights which were filled with an atmosphere of celebration and joyful spirits. Available as a sculpture art, an exclusive original, or a limited edition, the exhibit serves as a radiant reminder that hope and beauty endure even in challenging times.
Rotganzen also unveils a new installation titled DOT DOT DOT, inspired by the iconic three-dot typing indicator in digital chats. The sculptural design comprises numerous luminous globs which capture that fleeting moment “when nothing has yet been said and everything might still be possible,” according to Forwart Gallery. DOT DOT DOT seemingly represents the anticipation of what comes next in a conversation.
Where Le Tricycle installation from the 2023 edition utilises a vintage toy tricycle in an abstract volume, Quelle Basket supports the sagging Daliesque style form in a basketball hoop at the art gallery. Other selected pieces on display for Top of the Pops include Le Designer (prototype), Le Galeriste (detail), Quelle Fête Amour, Quelle Fête Grand-Mère and Quelle Pizza (Antwerp Edition).
Beyond the exhibition at the Forwart Gallery, Rotganzen’s previously featured Malibu collection on STIR, was crafted as part of the second edition in the Quelle Fête series in collaboration with American interior designer Kelly Wearstler. The Pop art collection reflected Malibu’s warmth and joy, with glittering pieces that imitated the ebb and flow of the Pacific coastline.
Top of the Pops art exhibition, which is on display until June 29, 2024, aims to create a harmonious blend of nostalgia and innovation at Forwart Gallery, a space founded by Belgium-based Lucas De Dycker. Initially nestled in Schuttershofstraat, the gallery recently made its permanent move to Antwerp’s vibrant fashion district on Armeduivelstraat 6. It serves as an ideal venue for Rotganzen’s collection, inviting viewers to reflect upon the complexities of life.
(Text by Simran Gandhi, intern at STIR)
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