K-TOTEM by Nicolas Van Parys

The artwork originates from an analogue collage. Nicolas draws inspiration from a  bygone era when the study of humans and animals relied heavily on registration and cataloging. By dissecting the images, the artist deconstructs the past to give meaning to the present and the future.

The collage imbues the original images with a sense of drama, and the resulting composition exudes symbolism. It portrays the significant challenges faced by nature, as well as those confronting humanity, which is increasingly fragmented due to growing disparities and digital advancements.

In this rendition on the K-TOTEM, the kangaroo takes center stage as a symbol of distant Australia, a destination that remained inaccessible to most of us for a long time. The artwork beckons us to contemplate how we travel, consume, and continually expand our footprint. Simultaneously, the reference to the analogue world questions the digital evolution. In the age of AI, is there still a future for collage artists, painters, and visual artists? Does digitalization bring progress, or are we gradually becoming ensnared in an isolated digital existence?

The K-TOTEM, a 3.5m-high sculpture by Designregio Kortrijk at Kortrijk station, is taken in hand every three months by a regional graphic designer or illustrator or artist.