Invitation au voyage

Plantin-Moretus Museum

Vrijdagmarkt 22-23, Antwerp

28/10/2022 – 19/02/2023

Philip Aguirre

The first time I came into contact with a sculpture by artist Philip Aguirre was with the exhibition ‘Schitterend Verlangen’ in the MAS museum. It featured the statue ‘Fallen Dictator’. That was five years ago. Since then, I’ve seen work of him in different places: in the Provinc House and the recently opened KMSKA.

As a guide at the Plantin-Moretus Museum, I was invited to view the exhibition. It was interesting for me for two reasons: Philip Aguirre not only had the exhibition in a separate part of the museum, there was also a work of art integrated into the museum for the Finis Terrae art trail. Finis Terrae runs approximately as long as the expo and you can also book me as a guide for this.

Donation graphic work

The reason for the exhibition is the donation of graphic work and drawings from Philip Aguirre to the museum. It concerns about 100 woodcuts and etchings with accompanying copper plates. This is work for which he is less known, he is mainly known for his sculptures and installations. In addition to the exhibition, a book about his paperwork will also be presented, which you can purchase in the museum shop.

‘Most exhibitions are built around a specific theme or story. Museums are often concerned with the educational and substantive aspects of my work. It is often about the world, about traveling and refugees. But just as important as the content, is the tactility and the material of the work. The purely formal aspect, which radiates its own poetry through its pure lines and material.’

(Philip Aguirre y Otegui)

No theme but a journey

As you could read in the artist’s previous quote, there is no theme for the exhibition. The title is an invitation to travel with Philip Aguirre. Traveling in his work, but also in time and to places such as Senegal and Congo. It is about experiencing the works of art yourself.

‘Beauty is also very important to me. That is a word that should hardly be used today, but I think that beauty means a lot. It is even a primary human need. Beauty goes far beyond the purely aesthetic. It is also about poetry, about being deeply moved. Intellectual, visual, emotional. In every possible way when words fail and another expression takes over.”

(Philip Aguirre y Otegui)

Guided Tours

You will also see me there as a guide or to come and look at the works again. If you want a guided tour, you can always indicate this when booking.

If you also want to visit the rest of the Finis Terrae art trail with me as a guide, please contact me or give my name when booking at Galerie Geukens & De Vil, which organizes this program.