‘family’ from the ‘origin of the beginning’ series by levi van veluw

‘family’ is the newest edition to dutch artist levi van veluw‘s ‘origin of the beginning’ series – composed of photographs, video and three-dimensional elements. in this particular segment, van veluw depicts five people – his father, mother, brother, sister and himself – at a dining table executed in a large-scale installation (4m x 2.5 x 2.5m) that has been constructed entirely from 20, 000 dark brown wooden blocks, the repetition of these elements standing an expression of his attempt to gain control within the family structure.

at first, each of van veluw’s relatives depicted appear to be sitting peacefully at the table, however, his portrayal of the figures within the abstract and undefined environment somehow remove them from any kind of reality. the dimly lit setting and dark tones of the wood continues the artist’s exploration into the isolation and solitude which he experienced as a child. the body of work has an overriding tone of sombreness and lonliness, in which van veluw draws from his own memories to thematically and narratively develop his own brand of self-portraiture.

see designboom’s previous coverage of ‘origin of the beginning’ here.

levi van veluw: family origin of the beginning the entire installation is made up 20,000 wooden blocks

‘family’ – origin of the beginning by levi van veluw video © levi van veluw