Like many cities in Belgium, the city of Antwerp has many derelict, vacant buildings and spaces. These spaces are sometimes inhabited by the homeless. As a result these buildings are typically demolished by developers and city councils as quickly as possible. What is not generally acknowledged is that these deteriorated spaces serve an important function in the memory and social landscape of the city and in a way possess a beauty of their own. The rapid measures taken to demolish these unused spaces are a way to exclude everything that is irrational, chaotic and seemingly unreasonable in urban planning.

Philippe van Wolputte's interventions draw attention to the existence of these spaces by making them accessible again for a short period of time, and he approaches his subjects with an almost Freudian-like obsession. Using narrow corridors and holes, he creates new passageways and infiltrates nearly impenetrable spaces, giving them a new temporary function as a fictional exhibition space. The artist's interpretation of his experiences in creating his interventions and the intimate manner of viewing these spaces characterize his work, expressed in beautiful graphlike photographs, videos and collages.

(Wilfried Lentz)

Books & Exhibition Catalogues

Gagarin 21/2010 pg 30-41
Drinnen & Draussen texts by Jenny Chert, 2010, Chert / Motto
Open no.18 - Cahier on Art and the Public Domain: 2030: Warzone Amsterdam, Nai Publishers, SKOR, 2009
Yes We're Open!, Rijksakademie Portaal Publication, 2009
Perfect Town - Philippe Van Wolputte, Tower Of Meaning Publications, 2008
Modulated Interior Pictures "On All Fours" - Philippe Van Wolputte, Tower Of Meaning Publications, 2008
Dragged Down Into Lowercase. Texts by Clémentine Deliss, Adrian Piper, Joe Scanlan, 2008
Open Studios, Rijksakademie Portaal Publication, 2008
Dots. texts by S. Van Bellingen, M. Meeuwis, W. De Cuyper, 2006
Maps of Art in Public Sphere. Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha Facultad de Bellas Artes, 2006
Chronologie Factor 44, 1996-2006 Les Jours Fixes. Texts by C. Straetling, H. Heirmans, 2006
Urban act 1: Post-Graffiti-una rivoluzione silenziosa. Texts by L. Lombardi, 2004
Reality Models exhibition. Grafoholic, 2004

Press

(H)Art, 'Dialogues Intimes et Publics' (Januari 2010), Emmanuel Lambion
Le Soir (Victoire) 'Pleurer et Bonheur' (23 Januari 2010): pg 08, Catherine Callico
'Cities The Magazine' issue 00, (December 2009)
LEEN: 'Binnenkort in depot?' (september 2009), Centrum Beeldende kunst
Metropolis M: 'Wisecracks op een bouwplaats' (11 Juni 2009), Domeniek Ruyters
NRC Handelsblad: 'Kunt u ze redden/monumentale wandkust wacht de sloopkogel' (28 november 2008), Sandra Smets
NRC Handelsblad: 'Copyright, dat is iets voor oudere mensen' (6 juni 2009), Sandra Smets
Kunstbeeld.nl 9 jaargang 30: 'Art Olive Award' (september 2006): pg 22-27
Next level magazine 4: 'interview with Mackplakt' (2005): pg 12-13.
Het Nieuwsblad: 'Stickerkunst in Antwerpen' 19 July 2005, Lennie Stinissen
Tutto Magazine 11: 'Attacchiamo pacificamente le citta.' (november 2004): pg 43-48.
Freeze Magazine 18: 'Board art' (may-june 2004): pg 41-44