Kasper Bosmans
Cherry Sugar Puddle Wink, 2024
marble, quartzite, granite and onyx
109 x 120 x 2 cm
42 7/8 x 47 1/4 x 3/4 in
42 7/8 x 47 1/4 x 3/4 in
Kasper embarked on a fantasy-filled foray, taking as the starting point the discovery of a 16th-century belvedere, located in the Royal Garden of Prague Castle, and which later became the...
Kasper embarked on a fantasy-filled foray, taking as the starting point the discovery of a 16th-century belvedere, located in the Royal Garden of Prague Castle, and which later became the site of Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II’s self-isolation. According to legend, the Bohemian ruler’s queer sexuality led to his consequent deposition from power and to a reclusive life dedicated to the study of astronomy. Such noncanonical (his)stories often inspire Bosmans to create new narratives that shed light on the past and help to project new possibilities for the future. Bosmans is drawn to stories that allude to queerness, an umbrella term that the artist feels most comfortable with to build a practice based on visual poetry.
Inspired by facts and anecdotes from the biography of Rudolf II (1552-1612), the German Emperor known for his interest in astronomy and esotericism, who lived reclusively in the belvedere of Prague Castle, Kasper created a whimsical fantasy in multiple scenes. The installation features fine marble and onyx and quartzite cutouts in the shapes of hearts and plums.
The design incorporates elements of garden art, heraldry, and children's book illustrations, recurring cherry and heart motifs. Bosmans once declared that his work is based on a "queer system," reflected in an endless play of obvious or cryptic references, augmented by punning titles.
Inspired by facts and anecdotes from the biography of Rudolf II (1552-1612), the German Emperor known for his interest in astronomy and esotericism, who lived reclusively in the belvedere of Prague Castle, Kasper created a whimsical fantasy in multiple scenes. The installation features fine marble and onyx and quartzite cutouts in the shapes of hearts and plums.
The design incorporates elements of garden art, heraldry, and children's book illustrations, recurring cherry and heart motifs. Bosmans once declared that his work is based on a "queer system," reflected in an endless play of obvious or cryptic references, augmented by punning titles.