ODETTE, 2008
print mounted on pvc
36 x 56 cm, framed 53.5 x 71.5 cm
14.2 x 22 inches, framed 21.1 x 28.1 inches
ODETTE was showed during the exhibition Artes Digitales (2007, Kortrijk). The curator of the exhibition invited three artists whose oeuvre is determined by the computer: Boy & Erik Stappaerts and Nick Ervinck. ODETTE is a reflection on Modernism, and more specific on the The Aubette; a modernistic ball room designed by Theo Van Doesburg, Hans Arp and Sophie Taeuber-Arp in the city of Strasbourg. Ervinck was fascinated by the totality of the interior design of The Aubette: guests moved through a gigantic painting of abstract colour fields and compositions. ODETTE is a 'Gesamtkunstwerk', for it aims at a synthesis of the arts. The walls tower above the floors and are covered with the characters derived from Van Doesburgs typographically stylised neon signs for the Aubette. The pattern of identical squares, is the result of a digital designing process. As both Van Doesburg and Ervinck don't like the initial principles of 'De Stijl', they introduce a curve in order to give the design some rhythm and to make it more functional. The curve in Ervinck's ODETTE follows the movement of the architecture. In that sense ODETTE is also an ode to Mondriaans Victory Boogy Woogie.