from France, such as the work by the Impressionists, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Henri Matisse … [Interviews with Ph.V.S., studio, Brussels, 2006-2009]
In 1967, Ph. Van Snick travels to the south of France and resides for some months in Antibes, where he visits local museums. The museum of Fernand Léger in Biot, with large ceramic sculptures and drawings, and the Picasso Museum in Antibes leave a strong impression on him. He develops an interest in the work of Fernand Léger and that of Roger Raveel. The connections he draws between both artists, as to their social engagement and communist ideas, result in interesting thought experiments. [Interviews with Ph.V.S., studio, Brussels, 2006-2009]
In 1967 Ph. Van Snick discovers the works of Alexander Calder in the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. He relates the monumentality of these works to his interest in Fernand Léger. Calder’s use of simple materials strikes him as well. In this respect it is possible to refer to a potential connection between Calder’s Circus Figures and the later wire sculptures by Ph. Van Snick. The reconstruction of Brancusi’s studio in Paris also leaves a powerful impression on him. [Interviews with Ph.V.S., studio, Brussels, 2006-2009]
[3] Study for a sculpture, 1967
From 1967-1968, Ph. Van Snick regularly visits exhibitions in the Paleis voor Schone Kunsten / Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. Around this time he also starts visiting exhibitions in Antwerp, notably those in the Wide White Space Gallery, led by Anny De Decker and Bernd Lohaus. Moreover, he mentions bar conversations in Antwerp as influence on the development of his artistic views. [Interviews with Ph.V.S., studio, Brussels, 2006-2009] R As a child Ph. Van Snick is fascinated by two encyclopedias he
found at home : the Larousse and, several years later, the Winkler Prins (delivered on the basis of the subscription model). A book very dear to him and still in his possession is an illustrated natural history of plants, Histoire naturelle illustrée. Les Plantes, by J. Costantin and F. Faideau, Paris, Librairie Larousse, 1922. At age 16-17, he enjoys reading the book by André Lagarde and Laurent Michard : XXe Siècle. Les grands auteurs français, Collection Littéraire, Bordas / Paris and Asedi / Brussels, 1962. Another book that is dear to him is Spectacle by Jacques Prévert, Paris, Librairie Gallimard, 1949. A first more philosophical book, which influences Ph. Van Snick’s thinking, is Teilhard de Chardin by Claude Cuénot, Paris, “Ecrivains de toujours” / Ed du Seuil, 1962.
16
Chronology
1960 -1969
[4] Drawing, 1967