Atelier Van Lieshout

Fiberglass
280 x 190 x 150 cm

In Greek mythology Laocoon is the Trojan priest who warned his fellow citizens about the crafty Greeks, but who was swallowed by sea serpents sent by Poseidon, the god of the sea. In AVL’s take on this classic sculptural theme, the figures merge into an amorphous form. Body parts meld and are distorted in a celebration of friendship and unity.

Laocoon (2003) was part of the following exhibition(s):
‘Let’s Get Physical’, Atelier Van Lieshout, Rotterdam (NL), 2020 – 2021
‘Ferrotopia’, NDSM, Amsterdam (NL), 2018

For enquiries: please contact Atelier Van Lieshout via info@ateliervanlieshout.com

Watercolour on paper
Edition of 5
43 cm x 34 cm

A modern version of the traditional Dutch symbols for hope (anchor), faith (cross) and love (heart). While the anchor, cross and heart have been replaced by a bottle of wine, a woman and a pig, AVL’s modular symbols can be used in any combination: one may believe in women, hope for wine and love pigs; believe in pigs, hope for a woman and love wine; believe in wine, hope for pigs and love a woman. The woman’s truncated body and the empty wine glass suggest that these wishes may never be fulfilled.

Location: Collection of Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam and private collections.

For enquiries: please contact Atelier Van Lieshout via info@ateliervanlieshout.com

Wood
Diverse measurements

In the Biogas Installation, faeces are pumped to the first tank or digester, where the temperature is kept at 37 °C. The mass is stirred, and the acidity of the liquid is maintained. Methane gas forms through the influence of bacteria in the first digester. After 21 days the liquid moves to the second digester to recuperate the last traces of biogas. After that, it goes into the large horizontal tank, a septic tank with an aerator that pumps oxygen through the liquid to improve purification. The next step is the green filter: the filter removes the last impurities and produces quality drinking water, which is connected and transferred to the Water Tower. The biogas collects in barrels next to the tanks where it is dried and washed. There is safety equipment in case of overpressure or if the system backfires.

For enquiries: please contact Atelier Van Lieshout via info@ateliervanlieshout.com

Fiberglass
732 x 245 x 270 cm

Mini Capsule Side Entrance (6 units) can be viewed as a people farm. Stacked together, the units look like a large fibreglass rabbit hutch, if not the hutches of the mobile Pioneer Set. Each of the six hotel units has space to sleep two people; the interior is not much larger than a double bed and is equipped with the basics: a mattress, sheets, blankets, a nightlight, clothing hooks, an electricity outlet and a shelf. A modest version of Maxi Capsule Luxus, the Mini Capsule is made to function as a budget hotel without staff.

Fiberglass, steel
1050 x 220 x 260 cm

The only thing the one thousand participants in The Technocrat have to do is eat and provide a constant supply of faeces for biogas production. To keep them happy and docile they are not only fed, but also administered three hefty, daily doses of alcohol. The Alcoholator distils 40% proof alcohol from kitchen scraps, 1,800 litres every day. Its design is red and curvy, sexy and seductive.

Alcoholator (2004) was part of the following exhibition(s):
‘Let’s Get Physical’, Atelier Van Lieshout, Rotterdam (NL), 2020 – 2021
‘Vrijstaat’, Kasteel Keukenhof, Lisse (NL), 2014
‘Infernopolis’, Submarinewharf, Rotterdam (NL), 2010
‘Das Haus’, Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst, Aachen (DE), 2008 – 2009
‘The Disciplinator’, MAK Museum, Vienna (AT), 2005
‘The Technocrat’, Sprengel Museum, Hannover (DE), 2004 – 2005

For enquiries: please contact Atelier Van Lieshout via info@ateliervanlieshout.com

Fiberglass
Diverse measurements

Commission
Location: Staatliches Vermögens Konstanz (DE)

Fiberglass

Uritory is a unisex amenity. The angle of the toilet bowl is positioned in such a way that both women and men can easily use the toilet while standing up. Ecologically-friendly, Uritory is linked to a small biogas installation. A storage space for the toilet brush has been built in the side of the bowel.

Mixed media
600 x 600 x 300 cm

Inspired by Sportopia, Bonnefantopia was made for Bonnefanten Museum in Maastricht. Despite the similarities with its noble predecessor, Bonnefantopia is more domestic and features both a kitchen sink and a cosy bed. Three fibreglass Michelangelo figures inhabit the installation: one is vomiting in the kitchen sink, another is hanging over the scaffolding, and the third is lying on the floor. While the historical Michelangelo slaved away on the Sixtine Chapel, these fallen followers show what happens when men become the slaves of machines or systems.

Collection Bonnefanten Museum, Maastricht

For enquiries: please contact Atelier Van Lieshout via info@ateliervanlieshout.com

Fiberglass
150 x 140 x 90 cm

Fiberglass
Diverse measurements

Penis Small, Penis Medium and Penis Large are part of a series of colourful fibreglass sculptures that Atelier Van Lieshout produced in the early 00’s: a complete series of human internal organs. For Van Lieshout, the ‘Organ’ series were a way to take a step away from design, and to focus on the pure functionality of systems and materials instead. By taking away design choices and faring on either rationale or that which nature has given us, Van Lieshout researched what the hand of the artist actually means. These works are a stylized representation of the interior of the human body, almost perfect anatomical renditions of the organs that keep us going, the artist turned inside-out. In that sense ‘Organ’ series can also be seen as an attempt of the artist to get a grip on the mysterious but incredibly well-functioning system of the human body.

Penis S, M, L (2003/2004) are part of the following exhibition(s):
‘Vrijstaat’, Kasteel Keukenhof, Lisse (NL), 2014
‘Infernopolis’, Submarinewharf, Rotterdam (NL), 2010
‘Das Haus’, Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst, Aachen (DE), 2008 – 2009

For enquiries: please contact Atelier Van Lieshout via info@ateliervanlieshout.com

Fiberglass
700 x 750 x 180 cm

The Interpolis Insurance company asked AVL to design a half-open meeting place for 14 people; the company did not want to build a separate room. AVL’s solution was to create a central table, surrounded by a sculpture group. The sculpted fibreglass figures represent the employees of an average company and their lives: businessmen shaking hands and discussing a portfolio; a hard-working manager, a good director pushing a disabled person in a wheelchair; gossiping office assistants; a family and a depressed worker.

Location: Interpolis Tilburg (NL)

Fiberglass
200 x 110 x 135 cm

The first medical model, this sculpture of a penis heralds AVL’s series of anatomical sculptures and installations.

For enquiries: please contact Atelier Van Lieshout via info@ateliervanlieshout.com

Fiberglass
Diverse measurements

Bad Man Kicking, Bad Man Hitting and Bad Man Fisting are sculptures of human figures mistreating others and express Van Lieshout’s ongoing love for Darwinism and systems. The Bad Men series explores the individual within or beyond society, with or without morals.

Bad Man Kicking, Hitting and Fisting (2002) were part of the following exhibition(s):
‘De Verleiding’, Bosch Parade, ‘s Hertogenbosch (NL), 2022
‘The Invisible Hand’, Parc Tournay de Solvay , Brussels (BE), 2016
‘Infernopolis’, Submarinewharf, Rotterdam (NL), 2010

For enquiries: please contact Atelier Van Lieshout via info@ateliervanlieshout.com

Wood, steel
110 x 100 x 76 cm

Many people can take advantage of the poor person in the pillory.

For enquiries: please contact Atelier Van Lieshout via info@ateliervanlieshout.com

Fiberglass
361 x 210 x 211 cm

A larger version of the Mini Capsule, Maxi Capsule Luxus is an entirely self-supporting unit that functions as a mobile hotel room. Its luxuries include a king-size bed, a minibar, an entertainment centre for listening to music and watching films, a heating and ventilation system along with storage facilities for luggage and clothing. Everything is sealed with the shade of love: red fibreglass, red leather, soft red carpet upholstering on the floor, walls and ceiling. The red cube is a machine for concentration and retreat, which contains its comforts inside while carrying its equipment on the exterior surfaces. The technical capacities outside of the cube can provide a contrast to what’s happening inside. Private collection, Milan

Private collection, Milan

Mixed media
1200 x 2400 x 250 cm

AVL Suisse hits the seas for the exhibition Expo ’02, a modern-day ‘country’ fair that took place in Switzerland in 2002. Many Swiss companies and organizations represented their identity in a cultural way; renowned international architects built the pavilions to present ideas about products as culture; the Swiss Army made a theatre play about safety and peace instead of presenting guns and canons. Since art was clearly being utilized to lubricate a wealthy society, AVL decided to go against the flow and set up a Free State on a raft. After docking the AVL Suisse, AVL invited architecture students from Berlin to add their own structures. In addition to these makeshift houses, the raft sported a conspicuous ‘For Sale’ sign, alongside two inflatable sex dolls. Nothing was designed, unless it was designed in bad taste.

Wood, fiberglass, steel
244 cm x 230 cm x 109 cm

This ideal home for dogs has a living room, a bedroom and a porch with an unlimited supply of fresh water and dog food. A canine utopia, the doghouse was made for the biennial of Bussan in Korea, where dogs are on the menu; the unit’s storage place also holds the butchering equipment.

Utopian Doghouse (2002) was part of the following exhibition(s):
‘The Invisible Hand’, Parc Tournay de Solvay , Brussels (BE), 2016
‘Vrijstaat’, Kasteel Keukenhof, Lisse (NL), 2014

For enquiries: please contact Atelier Van Lieshout via info@ateliervanlieshout.com

Mixed media
732 cm x 245 cm x 270 cm

Mini Capsule Side Entrance (6 units) can be viewed as a people farm. Stacked together, the units look like a large fibreglass rabbit hutch, if not the hutches of the mobile Pioneer Set. Each of the six hotel units has space to sleep two people; the interior is not much larger than a double bed and is equipped with the basics: a mattress, sheets, blankets, a nightlight, clothing hooks, an electricity outlet and a shelf. A modest version of Maxi Capsule Luxus, the Mini Capsule is made to function as a budget hotel without staff

Mini Capsule Side Entrance (6 units) (2002) was part of the following exhibition(s):
‘Das Haus’, Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst, Aachen (DE), 2008 – 2009

Location: Collection of Brad Pitt.

Fiberglass
845 x 300 x 225 cm

3M is an exercise in design restraint. AVL made every element as simple and as straightforward as possible in this mobile unit. Beyond the steering wheel, most of the automobile parts were mounted on the body; thus, the headlamps are not built in but rather screwed on to the vehicle’s surface in a crude and minimal way. The driver’s seat is an AVL-Shaker Chair, which can be removed once the 3M has reached its destination.

Leather, steel
62 x 62 x 90 cmm

While designed by AVL, this chair is produced and distributed by the Lensvelt Furniture Company. AVL designed the chair after being horrified by the available office furniture. It’s nice to create a temporary storage space for the backside of the body.

You can buy your own AVL Office Chair via our webshop (webshop hyperlinken met https://ateliervanlieshoutshop.com/)

Mixed media
450 x 180 x 170 cm

Chickens can really hit the road with this minivan, which has been outfitted with a high-tech, electro-hydraulically motorized chicken run. Caldic collection, Rotterdam

Fiberglass
200 x 190 x 145 cm

Currently on view at Hall Art Foundation 
Reading, Vermont

Fiberglass, wood
1328 x 340 x 295 cm

The Dutch like caravans. This one was made for a nice man called Adri who wanted to have a studio next to his house but was unable to get a building permit for an extension. That’s why he came to AVL. The atelier’s solution was to produce the largest possible mobile home, one measuring 3.5 x 13 m, which Adri parked in his garden. A few weeks later, the police and the mayor came by to complain, insisting that the caravan was illegal. But Adri simply pointed his finger to his neighbours who all had caravans and mobile homes parked in their gardens. Adri got to keep his studio caravan, although it is three times bigger than the neighbours’ caravans. Collection Adri Huisman, Maasdijk

Leather, fiberglass
160 x 85 x 120 cm

Walking around inside a museum can be tiring; there are few comforts, let alone luxuries, apart from the artworks. Bonnefanten Carts provide a solution: the museum visitor can sit in the mechanized wheelchair and use the joystick to tour the museum at slower or faster speeds. The cart is stocked with cold beer and champagne; the armrest has a special bowl for peanuts. The chair automatically rises and lowers to get a closer view of paintings. After touring around, the user can park and slumber in front of his favourite artworks. The carts are designed for the Bonnefanten Museum in Maastricht; AVL believes that all museums should be equipped with such facilities. Collection Bonnefanten Museum, Maastricht

Mixed media
Diverse measurements

It was in 2001 that Atelier Van Lieshout founded the free state of AVL-Ville. This now notorious venture was a year-long experiment in autonomous living – effectively a self-sufficient commune with its own flag, constitution and currency. Van Lieshout and his disciples designed and built everything in it, from the living units to the machine guns. Part art farm and part spectacular publicity stunt, the project was a pregnant piece of post-millennial escapism. “I think I am a romantic but on the other hand I am very well part of our society”, says Van Lieshout. “I’m no utopian.” AVL-Ville can be seen as idealistic attempts to shape an alternative environment. The project provided a form of art not just to look at, but to be lived in and with. After a successful and tumultuous year, AVL-Ville closed its doors.

Fiberglass
60 x 100 x 180 cm

AVL Man is as standardized as possible. He’s the ideal employee with no personality, who never complains. But neither does he have hands and feet, so he won’t get much done.
AVL Man was AVL’s first humanoid sculpture. He was succeeded by others, less anonymous, but just as unproductive.

AVL Man Waving (1999) was part of the following exhibition(s):
‘Let’s Get Physical’, Atelier Van Lieshout, Rotterdam (NL), 2020 – 2021

Fiberglass
150 x 250 x 380 cm

Location: Rabobank, Uithoorn (NL)

Mixed media
410 x 450 x 26 cm

After several visits to the slums (favelas) of São Paulo, AVL developed the idea of establishing a working relationship with the favela dwellers. Five façades with windows and doors were made for this purpose in typical AVL style. The plan was to give the façades to the future inhabitants and let them finish building the house on site with locally available materials. The organic way of building that is characteristic of the favelas is appealing; the houses are built on top of each other and next to each other in a haphazard fashion, with no concern for the streets, infrastructure or accessibility to the building. Ultimately, the form of the houses and the city is determined by acute need, available materials and money.

For enquiries: please contact Atelier Van Lieshout via info@ateliervanlieshout.com

Watercolour
64 x 98 cm

Part of a series of drawings that tell the story of the birth of the Free State of AVL-Ville. Masterplan shows a further development of the Free Stage. One can still see the farm and the Autocrat, next to the factory there is a blast furnace, heat and carbon dioxide is recycled and used in the greenhouses. There is also a large arsenal, a watermill to supply electricity and a sawmill where the wood on the island is made into lumber for building furniture and barracks. There are also a tank, watch towers and a fence. In the back, there are the prison camps.

Masterplan (1998) was part of the following exhibition(s):
Two Years’ Vacation, FRAC Lorraine, Metz (FR), 2020 – 2021
Reality is Not What it Seems, Jousse Entreprise, Paris (FR), 2020

For enquiries: please contact Atelier Van Lieshout via info@ateliervanlieshout.com

Fiberglass
150 x 150 x 300 cm

A double-decker toilet for environmentally friendly composting. Faecal matter falls into the elongated container. The Composttoilet is a very low-tech yet very efficient way of recycling human waste. Straw, which is thrown in the toilet bowl, helps the composting process; the straw’s hollow stems bring oxygen into the faeces, thus helping aerobic bacteria to grow.

For enquiries: please contact Atelier Van Lieshout via info@ateliervanlieshout.com

Watercolour on paper
64 x 98 cm

Untitled (1998) was part of the following exhibition(s):
Two Years’ Vacation, FRAC Lorraine, Metz (FR), 2020

Fiberglass

Location: Stadion Galgenwaard, FC Utrecht (NL)

Fiberglass, wood
280 x 720 x 280 cm

Mix and match: the longer side of Floating Sculpture is based on the old-fashioned architecture of a Zaans huisje (houses that are build in the Zaanstreek in the northern part of Holland). The attached blue bulb with windows (transparent eyes) has a large round bed inside.

Collection city of Amsterdam

Wood, metal
360 x 210 x 280 cm

Designed in 2000, the house measures only 2.10 x 2.90 m. This dwelling was inspired by the cottages that once stood around the Zuider Zee/IJsselmeer until the 1950s and served as weekday shelters for the local fishermen. Although the shape of the house is traditional and small, the house provides for a pleasant stay. Like many AVL works, this dwelling is an attempt to combine simple solutions from the past with modern applications and materials.

Fiberglass
350 x 450 x 950 cm

Collection City of Knokke

Steel
140 x 440 x 200 cm

AVL’s old company car, an ordinary Mercedes, was converted into a pick-up truck and equipped with a 57-mm canon designed by the atelier and made from everyday materials. Part of the exhibition The Good, The Bad and The Ugly presented in Rabastens in 1998, the Mercedes with the canon gained notoriety when the mayor banned the show.  In 2002, the work was almost confiscated by the Rotterdam police, who started to impound artworks shortly after the Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn was murdered. Twenty Dutch state officials showed up at AVL: ten policemen, five customs officials and five tax officials. They took AVL M80 Mortar but decided to come back the next day for the Mercedes. The car was transported to the Boijmans Museum, which decided to acquire the work for its permanent collection and save it from being destroyed.

Collection: Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam (NL)

Mercedes with 57mm Canon (1998) was part of the following exhibition(s):
‘Boijmans Drive-Thru Museum’, Ahoy, Rotterdam (NL), 2020
‘Happy Forest’, Kröller Müller Museum, Otterlo (NL), 2005

For enquiries: please contact Atelier Van Lieshout via info@ateliervanlieshout.com