Urbanautica

NICK PROOT. IN TRANSIT

by Dieter Debruyne

«With InTransit he highlights the ordinary: a moment between arrival and departure, between standing still and moving forward, between being there and not being there, between play and pause.»

Nick Proot (°1976,BE) experiments around the creation of our own universe. The relationship between perception and environment of the individual. The projection and reflection of the personality in the (self-created) space and then how this space influences the individual experience. Assuming that each person determines and experiences his own environment. In a unique, personal way Proot highlights the isolation within this (for others) fictional universe.

The somewhat monotonous, loamy construction that is assembled with recycled materials was born in a rather naive way during the move of his studio. In addition to the boxes and other packaging materials his previous work You are no t here is partially reused in this urban landscape. Proot has the uncontrollable urge to create things that are not tangible: surroundings where he can wander around, let his mind flow and sparkle for a moment. The modular installation consisting of paper, cardboard, plaster, wood and the binder; glue, screws, plastic, nails and thumbtacks make it possible to work very impulsively and quickly. The process of this creation is just as important and perhaps more important than the goal, it reflects life, impulsive action.

Proot shows, with the exhibition In Transit, a temporary creation, volatile fragments of memories put ready and packed to move. This combination of different media, the sharp target model, the endless projection through this maze and the photo work function as fragmentary recordings of caught dreams. During this "temporary" in transit position new universes arise that are constantly subject to change. As humans we are 'always on the move', Proot says. And with this 'ongoing' project he stimulates the spectators to roam freely through the space, to stop before a track, to watch the skyline or even having a break and experiencing a marvelous moment.

This is Nick Proot and with InTransit he highlights the ordinary: a moment between arrival and departure, between standing still and moving forward, between being there and not being there, between play and pause.

© Nick Proot, backstage of the exhibition 'In Transit', Paris, 2018