Wim Delvoye’s Steel Works

tower2009 Regardless of whether you find the infamous pieces offensive, the scope of Belgian artist Wim Delvoye’s artwork is very, very impressive. This is going to be a text-light post, as if I talk too much it may trigger an ethical slugfest with my alter ego (being equally matched, it’s bound to be a long fight). Delvoye can get a bit wild (see his site for more controversial pieces), but I don’t want to look at those today. I want to share some of his exquisite ‘low-risk’ works with you. A gentle introduction and less bruises for my intellect.

My first encounter with Delvoye (in reproduction, unfortunately) was with his stained glass arches using x-ray images. One of the many clever things in the world I wish I’d thought of first but didn’t. Up close the subject matter can be a bit, er, surprising; but the overall effect is nothing short of gorgeous.

Calliope 2001-2002. Copyright Wim Delvoye.

Euterpe, 2001-2002. Copyright Wim Delvoye.

Exploring his website, I discovered that some of these are accommodated in a laser-cut steel chapel he designed. Gasp.

Luxembourg Mudam Chapel 2006, Copyright Wim Delvoye.

I toddled off to investigate some of his other steel architecture, and found this work of majesty: an astonishing rocket-ship tower now residing in the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice:

Tower, 2009. Copyright Wim Delvoye.

Tower 2009. Copyright Wim Delvoye.

Those of you familiar with the InSectus studio know I’m a big sucker for steel. Found steel objects make up the bulk of my goodie drawers. More recently, Keith Lo Bue introduced me to the subtleties of steel wire, and since then I’ve fallen head-over-heels. (The InSectus Artifacts shop will expose exactly how much over the coming weeks, as I upload my fifty-odd Steampump necklaces). So I was delighted by Delvoye’s forays into steelwork, and the delicacy achieved with a material married to industry. This brings me to the Delvoye work I really wanted to introduce to you: his laser-cut steel construction vehicles. I was very taken with these little pieces that recall the filigree of Gothic cathedrals…