Robert Filliou

1969

Object, 9 x 12 x 2.5 cm.
Materials: wooden box, labels, picture

Collection: Collection M HKA, Antwerp (Inv. no. M00007).

Taking as his starting point the idea that 'well done, badly done and not done' are notions of equal value, Robert Filiou creates his series Optimistic Boxes as New Year's gifts.  « Nouvel an Pour vous et vos amis renouvelez l'art d'offrir. Ces artistes ont conçu et réalisé pour vous des cadeaux...inquiétants insolents et baroques... De 30 à 3000 F. » (New Year for you and your friends, renew the art of giving.  For you, these artists have conceived and made these presents... disturbing, insolent and baroque... From 30 to 3000 francs.)

Often the editions of Robert Filliou offer direct access to the artist's mental world, and this is also the case here with his famous Optimistic Boxes.   These are objects that may be alternatively read from inside and from out.

Optimistic Box N°2 from 1969 sings the praises of marriage on the outside, while on the inside is a jocular addition in trio – the complementary image within is a pornographic picture featuring two men and one woman.