Robert Filliou

1968-1981

Object, 9.5 x 16.5 x 11 cm.
Materials: paper, ceramics

Collection: Collection M HKA, Antwerp (Inv. no. M00018).

Starting from his idea that well done, badly done and not done are equivalent principles, Robert Filiou has created a series of Optimistic boxes as new year’s gifts. “Nouvel an Pour vous et vos amis renouvelez l'art d'offrir. Ces artistes ont conçu et réalisé pour vous des cadeaux...inquiétants insolents et baroques... De 30 à 3000 F.“ (New Year for you and your friends, renew the art of giving. These artists have designed and created disturbing, insolent and baroque presents for you … from 30 to 3000 Francs.)

The editions of Robert Filliou are often a direct pathway to the artist's imagination, as is the case with the well-known Optimistic Boxes. These are objects that can be read from both the inside and the outside.

The value of this piggy bank is not inside, as you would expect, but can be found on the outside. There is no need to open it, like the other boxes, but watch it carefully. A simple, ironic message is written on the outside. The box, or the pig, is optimistic because it is aware of its own destiny. It is therefore taking us for a ride.