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An essay-film by artist Juul Hondius about the remarkable relationship between himself and the exceptional sculpture that stands in front of the NATO headquarters in Brussels. Since its inception, the sculpture has been shown countless times on worldwide media broadcasts. Hondius enters into a direct dialog with the sculpture against the backdrop of the chronology of the relocation of this sculpture. Do we want to keep you as a symbol? Can we still identify with the concepts you represent? In the film, the elderly architect Raymond Huyberechts is revealed as the author of this iconic symbol. How does Huyberechts feel about his creation from 1970? To Unveil a Star (2021) is a kaleidoscopic portrait of a sculpture in which the filmmaker transforms a solid, steel sculpture into an anthropomorphic character. Playing with the formalities of genres, to create a stream of consciousness about the context of this sculpture that moves from one character's mind to another, through objects and experiences that seem to repeat themselves throughout history. The narrative intends to make the audience question their own position towards a sculpture that represents a system we are all somehow connected with. To Unveil a Star shines a critical light on the alliance between a military-political ideology, a piece of modernist design, and the shifting geopolitical landscapes it has witnessed.

Juul Hondius (1970, Ens, The Netherlands) studied at the FAMU Photography, Film & Television School in Prague and the Royal Academy of Fine Art in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. His work can be found in the collections of the Fonds National d’Art Contemporain in Paris, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. Amongst other venues his work was exhibited in Maison Européenne de la Photographie, Paris (2006); Centraal Museum Utrecht (2021/2007); Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam (2002); Platform Garanti (Salt), Istanbul (2007); Stedelijk Museum Schiedam (2014); Museum Boijmans van Beuningen (2013/2004); The Chicago Art Institute (2006); Musée des Beaux-Arts, Nantes (2002); Kunsthalle Düsseldorf (2011); Juan Miro Foundation, Barcelona (2011); Kunsthalle Mannheim (2010); Museum de Fundatie, Heino (2010); Fotomuseum, The Hague (2010);; De Appel Arts Centre, Amsterdam (2004), Huis Marseille, Amsterdam (2003); and numerous festivals and biennials, including LOOP Barcelona (2015), Beijing Photo Biennial (2014), Lagos Photo International (2010), IDFA (2005), and Busan Biennale (2004). Recent screenings of ‘To Unveil A Star’ where held in the Eye Filmmuseum in Amsterdam (2021) and in cooperation with Centraal Museum in Utrecht during the NFF, the National Dutch Film Festival (2021).