Paul De Vree

De Vree is an artist who uses both two- dimensional and three-dimensional techniques. Kissinger I is a playful work where the name of the American politician Henry Kissinger is split as if in a puzzle. The work consists of a Singer sewing machine completed with the letters that make up the word “kiss”. It is both a tribute to Homage to Singer (1928), a poem by Paul van Ostaijen, and a critique of the controversial foreign policy held by the United States towards Europe and other countries around the world at that time.

A multifaceted poet, publisher   and artist, De Vree made his debut as a poet in 1933 and devoted himself to poetic experimentation for the rest of his life. He was one of the first to be interested in concrete and sound poetry, and later began to practice visual poetry. He founded several magazines, including De Tafelronde (1953- 1982), and together with Sarenco, Lotta Poetica (1971-1975) and Factotum Art (1977-1982). Since 1964, he has exhibited in many European countries, in the United States, and in Japan.