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 book provides insight into how Van de Velde transformed sketches into beautiful handmade sets that came to life in three impressive films.


In The Villagers the viewer enters Van de Velde’s world. An important role is played by 17 life-size cardboard sets on which he worked for two years. Narrative evolved into a more abstract form of expression in his second film, La Ruta Natural. For this 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 and visually shapes his artistry.


This book will be published, together with a vinyl disc of Joachim Badenhorst’s film soundtracks, to coincide with the festive opening weekend of the new Abby Museum in Kortrijk on 9 November 2024.


Text in English, French and Dutch.