brussels based artist lou van ‘t riet creates art with a different approach where the viewer is summoned to engage and interfere physically with the work rather than go for the traditional ‘do not touch’ rule that people are used to. through her work at multiple galleries and her personal wandering in museums, lou van ‘t riet was struck by the gap that was existing between the viewer and the work and decided to fill this growing distance through her creations.

lou van t riet bust the do not touch rule 1
image by © e. willaert (courtesy of galerie a. prouvost)
portrait with triptych midnight -partially open

 

 

lou van ‘t riet created triptychs; a series of colorful wall sculptures where the viewer is invited to become an active part of the work by manipulating it. these triptychs – made out of metal – are organized in three articulated panels, each of different shapes and colors that create different visual compositions each time they are activated. by opening or closing a side the viewer will choose his variant in the geometrical and visual configuration.

lou van t riet bust the do not touch rule 2
image by © a. fogelbaum
triptych antarctica -totally closed

 

 

when the triptychs are closed, completely or partially opened they are an invitation to contemplation. the sculptures are also a reflection of the artist’s journeys through the world. each version is inspired and named after a place that has left a strong impression on lou.

lou van t riet bust the do not touch rule 3
image by © a. fogelbaum
triptych antarctica -totally open

lou van t riet bust the do not touch rule 4
image by © a. fogelbaum
detail

lou van t riet bust the do not touch rule 5
image by © e. willaert (courtesy of galerie a. prouvost)
triptych montreal – right side open

lou van t riet bust the do not touch rule 6
image by © a. fogelbaum
triptych RR -totally closed

lou van t riet bust the do not touch rule 7
image by © a. fogelbaum
triptych RR- right side open

lou van t riet bust the do not touch rule 8
image by © e. willaert (courtesy of galerie a. prouvost)
triptych belgium -totally open

lou van t riet bust the do not touch rule 9
image by © e. willaert (courtesy of galerie a. prouvost)
detail

lou van t riet bust the do not touch rule 10
image by © e. willaert (courtesy of galerie a. prouvost)
triptych antarctica -totally open

colorful triptychs invite viewers to engage physically with the art
image by © a. fogelbaum
triptych venice – totally open

colorful triptychs invite viewers to engage physically with the art

image by © e. willaert (courtesy of galerie a. prouvost)
triptych montreal – totally open

 

 

project info:

 

name: triptychs by lou van ‘t riet

artist: lou van ‘t riet | @lou.vantriet

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: yasmina karam | designboom