7 + 1 Axioms of Doubt

BACKGROUND '7 + 1 Axioms of Doubt' is a textual work published in the catalogue of the exhibition 'Holy Molecule,' featuring the works of Belgian artist Honoré ∂'O. Van Den Berghe's textual work poses a creative response to the artist's oeuvre. The 163-page publication was authored by curator Mieke Mels, Honoré ∂'O and museum director Philip van den Bossche. CONTRIBUTION: In '7 + 1 Axioms of Doubt,' the instruments of the architect - the vertical section, spatial experiences in a labyrinthine suite of spaces, perspective drawing (the vanishing point), time-space-connections and the politics of architecture - are connected with and looked at from an artistic and philosophical viewpoint. Through poetic prose, van den Berghe's writing aims at an immediate understanding of the connections between deeply rooted findings and the material world. Through poetic descriptions, these themes are unravelled in 'chapters,' and presented as textual-photographic dialogue with images of Honoré d'O's work. This creative work extends Van Den Berghe's ongoing investigation into the techné and poiesis in the making of architecture, through drawing, sound or text. SIGNIFICANCE: The exhibition 'Holy Molecule' was presented by Mu.Zee in collaboration with Kristof De Clercq Gallery (Ghent, Belgium); the former is a museum in Ostend, Belgium, specialising in Belgian art from 1830 onwards and the latter is a contemporary gallery promoting established European artists. Van Den Berghe was invited by Honoré ∂'O to contribute a critical essay to the catalogue - now housed in several important library collections around the world.