Author Description

This unique artist's book is the culmination of Hans Op de Beeck's long-term project "Sea of tranquillity". The ambitious publication includes film stills, texts, sculptures, watercolours and even a soundtrack (sung by Sandrine). In his familiar pictorial style - mildly surreal and resolutely critical - the artist confronts us with a large-scale but fictional luxury cruiser. This artificial city symbolises a postmodern society in which extreme luxury is accompanied by a moral vacuum. The book is conceived as a museum setting in which all the exponents of the engaging cruise irrevocably lead to perdition. On board we meet not only Eros and Thanatos, but also boredom, miscommunication and a hierarchial crew.