Thijs Bronts

When first encountering the works of Thijs Bronts the object seems to play the central role. But on another glance, it’s not the object, but the web of relations the object operates in that is central in Thijs’s practice. The artist is inviting us to find, and search for the architectural blueprints of social codes and infrastructures that surround ‘public’ spaces such as the art school. Recognising the infrastructure of the institute’s porteurs (the people that are a fixed part of the space and carry its use such as teachers, cleaners and concierges) Thijs looks for personal connections with them and invites to look for materialisations of the relations the porteurs have with the users of the institute. These objects of reciprocity between porteur and user are codes, Thijs (with permission) takes these out of their original equation to showcase the changing value of the objects within a new equation.  

In his practice Thijs adopts a dependent attitude. He listens, discusses and asks before, during and after the steps he takes. While doing this Thijs aims to examine the relationship he has with the institute. In this case the autonomous artist within the institute of an art school. Wading through a constant conversation, he is trying to find a fitting balance between provocation and a softness that can still sting. A recognition that reinforces the bond that the porteur as well as the user has with a code. 

This page was last updated on June 15, 2023