Belgian artist, Tom Herck, will showcase a colossal new piece at the 60th Venice Art Biennale.
His sculpture, titled “Once we ruled the world,” will be found in the Palazzo Balbi Valier garden. The art piece can also be spotted from the Grand Canal and the Accademia Bridge.
The 10-metre tall installation depicts a sitting human skeleton fishing, with dinosaur bones dangling from its rod.
The artist suggests the piece metaphorically underlines human vanity and ego. Furthermore, it invites reflection on the rise and fall of once dominant civilisations or species.
Through his creation, Herck aims to encapsulate Venice’s essence. “The installation forms a bridge between its illustrious past and uncertain present, compelling viewers to ponder Venice’s enduring spirit and capacity to sail through temporal uncertainties,” the Saint-Trond-born artist says.
At dusk, the installation changes colours and appears like an X-ray, thanks to UV-reactive paint.
Tom Herck will be present in Venice alongside the Petticoat collective that will represent Belgium at the event. The collective will exhibit giant figures from the Belgian folklore.
