Pierre-Philippe Hofmann

Born in Brussels (CH & B, °1976), Pierre-Philippe Hofmann is interested in the way in which the contemporary relationship to space and time conditions our vision of the world. Since his studies at the ERG in Brussels, he has used restrictive protocols to explore new ways of representing reality. Often in the form of installations, he regularly uses photography, video and sound in his projects. His research is mainly concerned with landscape; the projects Gemeenplaatsen and Portrait of a Landscape attempted to describe two territories, Belgium and Switzerland, in a global and specific way.

Having worked for almost 20 years in theatres and opera houses, Hofmann also remains connected to the performing arts. For example, he conducted a documentary project on Alain Platel's atypical approach to the creation of nicht schlafen. For Ad Libitum, Pierre-Philippe Hofmann (and Mathias Domahidy) also incorporates a lot of humour into his practice by literally staging reality, in a demanding stylistic exercise.
Walking is also an important part of his approach. In the midst of COVID, he organised a collective project for which 24 artists brought their works on foot for a group exhibition. (der Rattenfänger)

Lieux Communs - Gemeenplaatsen has been shown by Galerie Nadja Vilenne (Liège, 2008) and in CIVA (Brussels, 2010). Mainly active in Switzerland between 2012 and 2020, his recent large-scale video installation Portrait of a Landscape (10 walks through Switzerland, 2700km - 2700 videos) has been presented several times as solo exhibitions there (Ferme Asile-Sion, S AM Basel, Kunstraum Kreuzlingen, Bruder Klaus Museum Sachseln). In 2021, Portrait of a Landscape and Lieux-Communs/Gemeenplaatsen are jointly programmed by the MuHKA and deSingel. Earlier this year, the installation Ad Libitum was shown at the KIOSK in Ghent, the first version of der Rattenfänger was shown at the Duflon-Racz gallery in Ixelles. 

Then, in association with the Italian director Silvia Costa, Hofmann proposes an artistic journey through the streets of Valencia (FR) during the autumn. The project, commissioned by the Comédie, looks at the memory of the city and the spontaneous formation of its communities of inhabitants over time.