The Indian and The White Lady

The Indian is a six-metre tall gold-coloured inflatable statue that like a nomad travels the world.
The statue is a reference to the American prairie Indian seen through the eyes of children in Europe. However, the statue is abstract enough to evoke culture-specific associations within any cultural area.
From its starting point in the Netherlands, the Indian wandered via Denmark (Copenhagen European Cultural Capital, International manifestation UNDER OTHER SKIES) to Amman (Jordan, Royal National Gallery) and the United Arab Emirates (Sharjah Biennial).
The Indian appeared in Nanjing (P.R.China) as part of a solo exhibition in the new museum of modern art.
Shortly, the Indian will travel to the Borobudur and the Kraton (royal palace) of Jogyakarta (Indonesia). After that, he is expected in Havanna (Cuba).
Wherever the INDIAN comes, his attendant tells the tale of the love of THE INDIAN for THE WHITE LADY.

The creator of the Indian was inspired by the French philosopher Gilles Deleuze (rhizome/nomad) and a book by the Dutch philosopher Ton Lemaire entitled De Indiaan in ons onderbewustzijn (The Indian in our Subconscious).
The Indian is an example of anonymous art exhibited in mimicry in public space.
To fund the travels of the Indian, gobo projections, prints, bronze statutes, and vases of the statue are made and offered for sale.

September 2007

Bert Hermens


Bert: De maker werd geïnspireerd door het denken van Deleuze (rizhome/nomade) en een boek van de filosoof Ton Lemaire: De Indiaan in ons onderbewustzijn.