If you consider yourself being an admirer of fine art, bonbons, sleek forms, and glass art installations, then visit Glasstress 2019 — an exhibition that celebrates the art of Murano and represents it in different styles, shapes, and sizes. It’s a project by Adriano Berengo, whose aim was to blend contemporary art and the glass. The artists of all disciplines, including even musicians, were invited for collaboration. The show was launched in 2009 for the first time, and since then it has grown into the world’s leading showcase displaying the results of cooperation between contemporary artists and Muranese glass masters.

This year, Hans Op De Beeck is also included in the list of artists participating in Glasstress. He is a sculptor, drawer, and painter based in Brussel. In his art, Op De Beeck tries to take a refreshed look at such art notions as panorama and landscape, adding to them a bit of German-Romantic melancholy. His artworks look really atmospheric and highlight the tension between the real and artificial world. The creator also touches upon such subjects as the role of the artist and the nature of the creative process.

Besides being a sculptor, Op De Beeck also ventures into the art of photography and video work, creating animated films. For over twenty years, his works have been exhibited internationally. The artist is represented by Marianne Boesky Gallery.

Photo credit: Glasstress/glasstress.org

The artist sometimes calls his own works “proposals.” It means that it’s up to the viewer whether consider the object seriously and look at it as at the object of parallel reality or perceive it as no more than a visual construct. Probably, the question of relations between reality and representation is the central in Op De Beeck’s artworks. What we see, what we believe in, our own insignificance, and the lack of personal identity are just some of the themes and motives used in the work of Hans Op De Beeck.

By the way, Glasstress 2019 has already started — its opening night was on May 9. But don’t worry if you missed it! The exhibition runs through November 24, so you can see the artworks by Op De Beeck and other artists at any convenient time.