Inside the Mind of Hans Op de Beeck: Monumental Art with Heart

In this episode of The Installation Art Podcast, we sit down with accomplished Belgian artist Hans Op de Beeck to explore his multifaceted career spanning installation art, sculpture, theater, and film. Dive into a thoughtful conversation about balancing personal life with creating monumental installations. Key takeaways include:

• Hans’s reflections on work-life balance and not having the fear of missing out.

• Insights into the logistics of transporting and installing large-scale artworks from small studio beginnings to international exhibitions.

• His approach to learning on the job and his philosophy of infusing the essence of reality into art.

• Reflections on the longevity of large scale installation art and the financial realities of creating it.

This episode offers a deeply personal look into Hans Op de Beeck's career milestones, creative process, and future ambitions, emphasising his warm personality and dedication to his craft and his family. Perfect for artists, curators, and fans of contemporary art looking for behind-the-scenes stories of the art world.

07:01 Childhood and Early Influences

10:07 Artistic Philosophy and Pandemic Reflections

11:05 Project-Based Creativity and Deadlines

27:46 First Museum Show and Large-Scale Installations

33:00 The Authenticity of Fake

43:14 Learning by Doing

46:08 Sea of Tranquility Project

48:55 Social Commentary Through Art

54:12 Logistical Challenges of Large-Scale Art

57:07 Permanent Installations and Future Prospects

59:44 Interactive Art and Public Engagement

01:07:51 Funding and Financial Realities

01:15:04 Studio Life and Team Dynamics

01:19:36 Navigating the Art World and Personal Reflections

01:33:14 Future Ambitions and Dream Projects

01:41:32 Current Projects and Collaborations

Hans op de Beeck ins based in Brussels, Belgium. You can find out more about his work on his website hansopdebeeck.com and on his Instagram @hans_op_de_beeck https://www.instagram.com/hans_op_de_beeck/

He is represented by:

Galleria Continua https://www.galleriacontinua.com/artists/hans-op-de-beeck-53

Galerie Krinzinger https://galerie-krinzinger.at/artists/hans-op-de-beeck/

Ron Mandos gallery https://ronmandos.nl/artist/hans-op-de-beeck/

Templon New York https://www.templon.com/exhibitions/whispered-tales/

Pilevnely gallery https://www.pilevneli.com/artists/32-hans-op-de-beeck/overview/

You can see his work in person at Templon Gallery in NYC, November 7 - December 21, 2024.

Also mentioned in this episode:

Art Basel: https://www.artbasel.com/?lang=en | https://www.instagram.com/artbasel | @artbasel


Documenta: https://www.documenta.de/en/about | https://www.instagram.com/documentafifteen/


Venice Biennale: https://www.labiennale.org/en/art/2024 | https://www.instagram.com/labiennale/ | @BiennaleChannel


Nordic Watercolor Museum: https://www.akvarellmuseet.org/en | https://www.instagram.com/nordiskaakvarellmuseet/ | @NordiskaAkvarellmuseet


Anselm Kiefer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anselm_Kiefer | https://www.instagram.com/anselm_kiefer/


Schauspiel Frankfurt: https://www.schauspielfrankfurt.de/international/ | https://www.instagram.com/schauspiel_frankfurt/


Tate Modern: https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern | https://www.instagram.com/tate | @Tate 


Coen brothers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coen_brothers
Raymond Carver: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Carver


Peter Doig: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Doig | https://www.instagram.com/PeterDoig/


Peter Jackson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Jackson | @PeterJackson 


The Humanity Museum in the Hague: https://www.museumofhumanity.nl/https://www.instagram.com/museumofhumanity | @museumofhumanity8967


Gemeentemuseum: https://www.kunstmuseum.nl/en | https://www.instagram.com/kunstmuseum.nl/ | @KunstmuseumDenHaag


Roel Arkesteijn: https://hisk.edu/lecturers/roel.arkesteijn


La Biennale de Lyon: https://www.labiennaledelyon.com/en | https://www.instagram.com/biennaledelyon/ | @Labiennaledelyonart


Amos Rex Museum: https://amosrex.fi/en/ | https://www.instagram.com/amoskonst/ | @amosrexartmuseum


Towada Art Center: https://towadaartcenter.com/en/ | https://www.instagram.com/towadaartcenter/


Andrei Tarkovsky: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrei_Tarkovsky


Pixar: https://www.pixar.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/pixar/ | @pixar
Rijksakademie: https://www.rijksakademie.nl/ | https://www.instagram.com/rijksakademie/


Opera House of Stuttgart: https://www.staatsoper-stuttgart.de/en/ | https://www.instagram.com/staatsoperstuttgart/ | @StaatsoperStuttgart


Metropolis by Fritz Lang: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolis_(1927_film)


Mori Art Museum: https://www.mori.art.museum/en/


Fumio Nanjo: https://nanjo.com/en/about-ceo/ | https://www.instagram.com/n_and_a_art/ | @NA_nanjo 


Tony Cragg: https://www.tony-cragg.com/


Kunstpalast Düsseldorf: https://www.kunstpalast.de/en/ | https://www.instagram.com/kunstpalast/ | @museumkunstpalast


Kröller-Müller Museum: https://krollermuller.nl/en | https://www.instagram.com/krollermullermuseum/


Mark Manders: https://www.markmanders.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/mark.manders/


Bunraku: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunraku


Ursula Krinzinger: https://galerie-krinzinger.at/ | https://www.instagram.com/galeriekrinzinger

Photos used in this episode courtesy of Hans op de Beeck.

The Installation Art Podcast is a bi-weekly show about people who love and work with the contemporary art medium of installation. 

The host Anastasia Parmson, an artist herself, interviews internationally renowned artists and arts workers about the intricacies and behind-the-scenes stories of creating and showing work that is site-specific, ephemeral, large scale or immersive.

Follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast to never miss a show.

Find us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/installationartpodcast/

More information about the show and previous episodes: www.installationartpodcast.com

Your host Anastasia Parmson: www.anastasiaparmson.art | https://www.instagram.com/anastasiaparmson.art/