EURO VISION (2018)

Tom Herck's Euro Vision (2018) is a powerful, satirical installation inspired by the title of the Eurovision Song Contest, reflecting Europe's current social and political climate. This artwork reflects on the European Union’s challenges, particularly around political unity, portraying the EU as a vessel adrift—a market without cohesive political direction.

At the heart of Euro Vision is a 42-foot sailing ship resembling a Viking longship, symbolizing Europe’s historical strength and cultural identity while highlighting its contemporary divisions. The ship is adorned with traditional wooden shields, each hand-painted with the coat of arms of an EU member state, intertwined with modern lifebuoys. This contrast between shields and lifebuoys evokes both defense and survival, where shields represent protection, and lifebuoys, the fragile hope for resilience.

Emblazoned across the vessel is the phrase “Save Our Stars,” echoing the distress signal “S.O.S.” This call to action embodies Europe’s current struggles and yearning for unity. The text becomes visible only on stormy waters, symbolizing how Europe’s challenges surface during turbulent times.

The ship’s sails feature the European stars, with one shooting star symbolizing England’s departure from the EU. This star, representing Brexit, captures the dissonance between social media discourse and the complex reality of European identity.

When the ship reached London, it sailed along the Thames and docked for five days. Following the display, Herck removed England’s lifebuoy from the vessel and took it to Buckingham Palace, where he hung it on the gates. This act was both a farewell and a symbolic gesture of solidarity, expressing the wish for mutual safety and goodwill in uncertain times. The ship returned back to Europe without the shield of England.

Overall, "Euro Vision" captures the complexity of Europe’s journey, blending symbolism with historical and contemporary themes to invite viewers to reflect on the continent’s evolving identity and unity.

Euro Vision studies 2018 Mixed media on wood. 230 x 120 cm © Tom Herck — **Euro Vision studies**
2018
Mixed media on wood.
230 x 120 cm
*© Tom Herck*

Euro Vision 2018 Sailing installation. 42-foot sailing ship with a height of 18 meters. 28 Rubber lifebuoys of 75 cm with inside a hand painted shield on Tectona Grandis wood 44 cm. Save Our Stars black foil. Printed black stars on 2 sails. North … — **Euro Vision**
2018
Sailing installation.
42-foot sailing ship with a height of 18 meters.
28 Rubber lifebuoys of 75 cm with inside a hand painted shield on Tectona Grandis wood 44 cm.
Save Our Stars black foil.
Printed black stars on 2 sails.
North sea.

Euro Vision 2018 Sailing ambiance. River Thames / Twin tower bridge. London (Uk) — **Euro Vision**
2018
Sailing ambiance.
River Thames / Twin tower bridge.
London (Uk)

Euro Vision 2018 Removing the English shield of the boat. St-Katharine docks. London (Uk) — **Euro Vision**
2018
Removing the English shield of the boat.
St-Katharine docks.
London (Uk)

Euro Vision 2018 Buckingham palace. London (Uk) — **Euro Vision**
2018
Buckingham palace.
London (Uk)

Euro Vision 2018 Sailing ambiance. River thames. London (Uk) — **Euro Vision**
2018
Sailing ambiance.
River thames.
London (Uk)