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LITERARY FURNITURE

2007

Ghent, Belgium

Despite facing challenges with reading and writing, Piet Van embraced his unique perspective as an artist. As a child, he struggled with dyslexia and stuttering, causing him to feel ashamed and attempt to conceal these difficulties. However, as he grew older, he found inspiration in his own experiences and used them to fuel his artistic creations.

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One intriguing concept that emerged from his personal journey was the idea of creating text that could be read before it was actually read. Piet Van crafted furniture pieces in the shape of letters, such as 'Puke,' where vomit was cleverly depicted on the seats, or 'Forest,' which was intricately painted to resemble a forest. These visual representations of text aimed to evoke interpretations and impressions from viewers before they engaged with the actual written content.

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In another project, for Valentine's Day, Piet Van designed 'Make Love' and 'Fake Love' installations. Unbeknownst to visitors, a hired couple engaged in passionate embraces on the seats, creating an immersive experience that blurred the line between reality and art.

The technique Piet Van developed for crafting his furniture pieces, involving a combination of textile fibers and coatings, later served as the foundation for his renowned art project 'Sit on Millions.' This innovative approach allowed him to create durable and comfortable furniture with a distinctive aesthetic, symbolizing wealth and abundance.

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Through his artistic endeavors, Piet Van demonstrates the transformative power of personal experiences, utilizing them as sources of inspiration to push the boundaries of artistic expression and engage viewers in thought-provoking and immersive experiences.

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