Silence speaks volumes here at Mia Casa. Have you ever considered how much meaning can be found in the absence of words? Mia Casa is a sculpture by Mark Cloet. It invites us to explore the concepts of interpretation and emotion.
Mark Cloet was born in Oostende in 1964. Cloet’s Mia Casa sculpture was created in 2003. The bronze sculpture consists of multiple objects. Their dimensions vary.
Cloet adopts a modest attitude as an artist. He prefers to keep the stories behind his work hidden. This ensures that he does not influence our interpretation. He disproves the idea of the artist dictating how art should be understood. Cloet conveys meaning through the emotions evoked in viewers. He wants to make invisible concepts visible through his art.
Personal interpretation takes center stage in Mia Casa. Each of the five objects in Mia Casa carries its own meaning.
Consider the work table. It represents silence. It’s a place that refers to both birth and death. It is a place where words are superfluous. The horizontal surface carries the body that becomes or un-becomes. The pulpit symbolizes the declamation of the spoken word. It is also a place where free thought is expressed. The object’s verticality reminds us of a body rising when speaking. The work table refers to internalizing knowledge. This happens through study, repetition, interpretation, and reflection. While writing, the body sits and words are shaped physically. The chest symbolizes hidden content. It is a collection of safely stored possibilities. Cloet believes that we, the viewers, and our interpretations are vital to the artwork.
Mia Casa joined the VUB collection in 2019. It was part of a new building project for buildings X, Y, and I. A small percentage of the budget must be spent on integrating art for every subsidized building project. An art advisory committee helped the university select artworks. Their decision was based on project proposals from artists.
Around Mia Casa, a new apple orchard was planted. It can be accessed via a desire path. Apple trees also grew around the former Kultuurkaffee. The Kultuurkaffee had to make way for the new building.
The Humanist Sculpture Park is always open. It is free to visit. Parking is available. The area is wheelchair-accessible.
Each sculpture has a QR code. Scan it to access an audio fragment on your smartphone. This will reveal the stories behind the sculptures. Headphones enhance the audio experience.
Mia Casa stands as a testament to the power of individual interpretation. It also shows the beauty of unspoken emotions. Take a moment to reflect on what these silent objects communicate to you. What hidden meanings do they reveal?