The Book To Be or Not To Be
It all began in the summer of 2023 when Hans received his first cancer diagnosis. Inspired by Alighiero e Boetti’s small woven square ‘Ordine e Disordine,’ Hans began to write and almost think in squares.
After several operations, believing he had conquered the worst, he paused at square 137 “Mission Accomplie” feeling a sense of mission accomplished.
Yet, his journey continued with more operations and radio-chemotherapy ahead. Now, there are over 300 squares awaiting publication.
In the final days of his life, Hans met Xu Bing, the creator of the “Book from the Sky” depicting beautiful hand carven Chinese letters who do not mean anything.
Together, they envisioned book projects to reestablish Chinese-Belgian friendship and cooperation.
The Book to Be or not to Be can be interpreted in multiple ways:
- Is it an artist’s book? But then, Hans was not an artist.
- Is it a didactical book, designed to inspire and stimulate creativity in people facing similar medical situations?
Ultimately, it is up to each reader to decide.
During one of his last working sessions, Hans shared that if these works are anything, they are poems: artistic poems, didactical poems, personal poems, political poems, philosophical poems…
His deepest wish was for them to be published and shared with the world.
Thanks for your contribution.
Account number:
IBAN BE 87 7370 7628 5994
BIC KREDBEBB
Mention: “The Book to be or not to be”
As of [26.06.2024], €1785 has been donated – thank you!
Any income generated from the Book will go to cancer research.
Thank you for helping us to bring Hans’ vision to life and for your invaluable support in making his legacy known.
Please feel free to reach out if you need any further information or assistance.
© Portrait of Hans de Wolf by Jean Cosyn