Let's learn about Arne Quinze!
Who is Arne Quinze ?
Arne Quinze is a Belgian conceptual artist best known for his unconventional and controversial public art installations. Quinze also creates large and small sculptures, drawings, and paintings. In his late teens, he started out as a graffiti artist in Brussels, and he never completed a formal art education.
Why place these strange object in Ostend?
For a lot of people, Ostend functions as a final destination. A city by the sea, at land’s end. Many end up here and never leave again. Strange elements appear and contribute to the ‘multi’- society, which Ostend is turning into. The ‘Rock Strangers’ sculpture embodies these ideas. ‘Rock Strangers’ appear where you would least expect them to. Their characteristic electric orange colour provides a sharp contrast to their natural surroundings and accentuates the alienating effect they evoke. people feel attracted to these ‘Rock Strangers’ because they are curious about what is happening in this place. In addition, they also wonder what they mean in their surroundings. They appear to have been washed up on the Heroes of the Sea Square, directly from the sea.Arne Quinze developed a sculpture cluster called Rock Strangers for the city of Ostend. Strange objects that pop up in locations where you would least expect them.
Many answers lie in the openness and freedom that people experience or express during the acceptance of strange elements which they are confronted with.
How did they get here?
This work of art raises questions. What happens if strange elements suddenly appear in my environment, in my city? How do we react to unusual objects when we are suddenly confronted with them in our everyday life? Who or what is actually the stranger among us: the object or the passer-by? Many answers lie in the openness and freedom that people experience or express during the acceptance of strange elements which they are confronted with.
People tend to build up a safe cocoon around them, which cannot be penetrated by strange elements or the unexpected. It is as if the walls that they have built around themselves still are not sufficient. We seem to be distancing ourselves more and more from other people.
Do you want to spot the strangers ?
Zeeheldenplein
Albert I-promenade
8400 Ostend
