In de duinen [In the Dunes], 2025.
In the Dunes is a sequence of 662 replicas of ancient postcards representing the North Sea dunes from Coxyde to Lombardsyde, Belgium. They are presented together on a monumental wall, following the logic of a mesh pattern. The spectator might imagine the North Sea beach to be situated just above the first horizontal line of postcards. Thus, the visitor embarks on an imaginary walk from Coxyde via Oostduinkerke and Nieuwpoort to Lombardsyde. As the view unfolds from left to right in the form of a potential survey map of the area, one may discover what this part of the Belgian coastline looked like between the beginning of the twentieth century and the early 1960s. What is more, while you travel back in time with these replicas, a range of small messages unfolds, sent by persons from a previous era. Mostly, these sweet messages have to do with people longing to see someone again soon or who are awaiting each other.
In the Dunes has been installed for the first time in the ambulatory corridor at KEI (Coxyde) in the Summer of 2025, in the vicinity of the doctors’ consultation rooms and in facing the ambulances’ entrance. From time to time the flashlights of these medical transport vehicles, parked just in front of the work behind the sliding doors, lit up the installation – as if they had become part of it, or wanted to send a warning sign.
The originals of all these postcards are part of the collection of the artist. These double-sided replicas have been printed quadri on Old Mill premium white paper, 300 gr. Dimensions of the complete work of art when presented on a wall: 1,57 x 6,22 m. Dimensions per postcard: 9,8 x 14,9 cm.