Highlights from the Quelle Fête Collection
Rotganzen created its first a Quelle Fête prototype in 2009 and sold its first artwork under that name in 2011. In the years that followed Quelle Fête became their most famous work and grew into one of the most coveted collector’s series worldwide.
The success of Quelle Fête lies in its continuing relevance. Created as a melancholic reminder of times gone by and a playful commentary on the ever-increasing absurdity of life, now, with the world at the brink, Quelle Fête takes centre stage again, oozing fraught quietness and hopeful beauty.
To celebrate 15 years of Quelle Fête and to emphasize its persistent vibe in world dominated by fear and fake facts, Rotganzen has selected for Forwart Gallery its most popular pieces. Edition pieces as Quelle Fête Amour, Quelle Pizza and Quelle Basket, and sculptures like Le Designer and Le Tricycle. Rotganzen is also presenting a new installation: … (say: DOT DOT DOT), its name derived from the little speech bubble with three little dots that appear when someone is typing in chat: that moment when nothing has yet been said, and everything might still be possible. The most precious part of any conversation.
About Quelle Fête
Quelle Fête by Rotganzen is a playful representation of times gone by. It is both a dazzling reminder of those fabulous escapist glamour club nights and a captivating monument to melancholy.
Rotganzen created Quelle Fête as a metaphor for the loss of innocence. At the same time, its joyful appearance reminds us that, even in the darkest of days, beauty is always present and hope springs eternal. Painstakingly handmade in the Rotganzen studio, and released as sculptural work, exclusive originals, or limited editions, Quelle Fête is currently one of the most coveted collector’s series around.
About Rotganzen
Rotganzen (2009) is an art collective in the tradition of American Pop Art and the Italian Radical Design movement. Based in Rotterdam, New York and Buenos Aires, Rotganzen bridges art and design through an oeuvre of exclusive originals, sculptural works, limited editions, and a range of furniture pieces.
Changing the context of everyday icons, Rotganzen evokes melancholy and surprise. Their intricate exploration of materials stands in clear contrast with the simplicity of their design. Art and design are for Rotganzen a way to interface with nostalgia, a sweet, unassuming vessel for more complex and personal emotional resonance.
Rotganzen’s signature creation is Quelle Fête. From its conception in 2009 to its first international collection – in collaboration with Italian furniture manufacturer Gufram (Wallpaper Design Award, 2019) – and its first permanent outdoor sculpture in London (Ministry of Sound, 2019), Quelle Fête has risen to the status of coveted collector’s item.
Other popular collections by Rotganzen are BOUNCY (2019), Quintessential (2021), TOEF (2022), STRAW (2023), and WREATH (2024). Rotganzen is represented by various galleries around the world and collaborates intensively with long-term partners like Sergio Herman in Antwerp, Tokyo and Singapore, and Kelly Wearstler in Los Angeles. Work by Rotganzen can be found in hundreds of public and private collections.
About Forwart Gallery
Forwart Gallery is an Antwerp-based gallery specialised in contemporary mixed-media art, with a strong emphasis on materiality in its curation. Each of its artists hone a distinctive technique within their specific niche. Bringing them together fosters energy and creates synergy, ensuring a dynamic in Forwart’s diverse exhibitions. The gallery puts a spotlight on artists from the international art scene whom they deeply admire for their explosive talent and limitless creativity. A symbiotic relationship unfolds as these diverse individuals, each with their unique creative approach, are brought together.
Founded by Lucas De Dycker, Forwart Gallery initially opened on Schuttershofstraat in Antwerp, quickly expanding to additional temporary locations in Knokke and Hasselt. In 2024, the gallery made a permanent move to Armeduivelstraat 6, situated in the heart of Antwerp’s vibrant fashion district. The gallery is present at this year’s Venice Art Biennale and has exhibited at art fairs such as PAD Paris. Its artists have been embraced by prestigious public collections like those of The Jane, Botanic Sanctuary, and Louis Vuitton, and numerous private collections such as the Duncan Collection.
Venue Forwart Gallery, Armeduivelstraat 6, 2000 Antwerp
Opening Thursday 16.05.24, 18:00 – 21:00
Exhibition 17.05.24 – 29.06.24, Wednesday – Saturday, 11:00 – 18:00 (also Sunday 19.05.24 during Antwerp Art Weekend)Contact +32472927963