Hans De Wolf studied at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Columbia University in New York. In 2002, he completed his doctoral thesis with a comprehensive and innovative interpretation of one of Marcel Duchamp's most significant works, La mariée mise à nu par ses célibataires, même.
Since 1998, De Wolf had been involved in developing and realising various exhibition projects at the Neue Nationalgalerie im Hamburger Bahnhof and the Museum für Hedendaagse Kunst in Berlin. Since 2002, he had also been delivering theoretical art seminars at the Kunsthochschule Berlin-Weissensee. In 2004, De Wolf was appointed Professor of Art History and Aesthetics at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. That same year, the Palais des Beaux-Arts invited him as a senior consultant to further develop relationships with Germany.
In 2005, within the Universitaire Associatie Brussel, he was tasked with establishing the Kunstenplatform (known as the "Brussels model"), creating an institutional setting where artists from the EhB departments Ritcs and Conservatorium, together with scientists from the VUB, could conduct groundbreaking artistic research, notably through a PhD in the arts. De Wolf was a driving force behind this academic degree, enabling artists to earn a PhD through their dissertations, oeuvres, or artistic works.
He then launched a series of prestigious research projects involving some of Belgium's most famous artists.
From 2009, De Wolf's concept of cultural diplomacy took on a new dimension when he was commissioned by the Brussels Regional Government to create the first exhibition project for Shanghai 2010. In cultural diplomacy, art is used as a means to maintain contacts in sometimes challenging regimes through alternative avenues.
Several other projects followed, all designed with the same philosophy. They brought some of the finest Belgian artists to cities such as Beijing, Hangzhou, Seoul, Gwangju, and Chengdu.
Over the years, a unique methodology was developed, which should be understood as the intertwining of cultural and academic diplomacy, where exhibition projects become the driving force for intensive exchanges with local universities and art schools. "All of Hans De Wolf's projects are wake-up calls for the local economic, academic, and cultural communities intensely involved in their realisation," said Jan Cornelis, Emeritus Professor at VUB. "In this way, these communities gain insights into entirely new creative methods and approaches."
Hans De Wolf sought to simultaneously enhance Brussels' reputation and visibility on the global stage. His impact was also significant on the VUB campus. In October 2019, the opening of Pilar and the new cultural infrastructure was marked by the grand exhibition JRSLM, where Hans De Wolf brought together top works at VUB and the nearby Usquare. Indeed, it was at the opening of the restored main building of Usquare Brussels on 15 February 2024 that Hans De Wolf gave an impassioned explanation of the work of Congolese artist Geraldine Tobe, which now has a permanent place there.
Hans De Wolf's academic and professional career demonstrates a remarkable commitment to both artistic and academic projects, bridging these two worlds. His work has significantly contributed to international exchange and collaboration between artists and academics. You can leave a condolence message or a fond memory of Hans here.
Projects include:
The Platform, 2005: the creation of the Kunstenplatform, an institutional model for the implementation of artistic research, also known as the "Brussels model," which plays a crucial role in integrating art and science.
Brussels Body Speech, Minsheng Art Museum, Shanghai 2010
Jeff Wall, The Crooked Path, Palais des Beaux-Arts (BOZAR), 2011
Wanderlust, various locations including Artsonje Center, Seoul 2012; Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwangju 2013; and Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Chengdu 2013
Master Mould & Copy Room, Central Academy of Art Museum (CAFA), Beijing 2014
Chinese Utopias Revisited - The Elephants, Palais des Beaux-Arts (BOZAR), Brussels 2015
Forme e Anti Forme, Fonderia Artistica Battaglia, Milan 2015
Xu Bing: Worlds of Words, Goods of Gods, Triennale, Milan 2016
JRSLM – Paradise Lost Again, VUB (Pilar/USquare), Brussels 2019
Paradise Projects, VUB (USquare), Brussels 2021
KALUNGA – Vous n'êtes pas prets pour ça, VUB-The Lever House, Brussels 2022
Laetoli Amphitheater, VUB-Theatre Aan Zee, performance by Honoré d’O, Ostend 2022
Recently, Hans De Wolf collaborated with Chinese artist Xu Bing on a new project aiming to reconnect Europe and Asia.
In memoriam Hans De Wolf | Vrije Universiteit Brussel (vub.be)