Artist Wim Delvoye celebrates 25 years of Cloaca with retrospective in Brussels
A gallery in Brussels is hosting a retrospective exhibition celebrating the 25th anniversary of Belgian artist Wim Delvoye's Cloaca, a machine that mimics the human digestive system, which earned him international acclaim as the pinnacle of Belgian Surrealism.
Delvoye is known for his provocative works, including tattooed pigs and explicit stained glass. His Cloaca resembles a laboratory set-up of tubes and beakers designed to replicate human digestion as closely as possible. Delvoye describes the machine as a "useless invention" designed to challenge the boundaries of utility, art and taboo.
The exhibition Wim Delvoye: Cloaca: Celebration 2000-2025 features more than 40 original sketches, drawings and prototypes of the various versions of Cloaca created since 2000, such as Cloaca Professional, Cloaca Turbo and the portable Cloaca Travel Kit.
Visitors can also view waste produced by Cloaca, Anal Kiss prints and branded merchandise. Each version's logo parodies global brands such as Coca-Cola, Chanel No. 5 and Harley-Davidson, reflecting Delvoye's ironic admiration for their universal reach.
"Everyone can relate to this work - it transcends gender and nationality because human waste is universal"
The retrospective also highlights the broader discussions that Cloaca provokes, addressing issues of waste, food consumption and the definition of art. "Everyone can relate to this work - it transcends gender and nationality because human waste is universal," said Delvoye.
Looking ahead, the 60-year-old plans to focus on monumental towers. While details remain secret, Delvoye's preference for long-term projects promises another ambitious chapter in his career.
The exhibition invites visitors to reflect on Delvoye's pioneering vision, which continues to provoke, amuse and stimulate debate 25 years after Cloaca's debut. It runs from 17 January to 9 March at Galerie Rodolphe Janssen in Ixelles.
#FlandersNewsService | Wim Delvoye at the Cloaca retrospective in Brussels © BELGA PHOTO / VIDEO TIMON RAMBOER
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