Thordur Hans

Thordur Hans Baldursson is a multidisciplinary artist whose work operates at the intersection of performance, sculpture, and installation. Born in Iceland in 1992 and currently based in the Netherlands, his practice explores the boundaries between animate and inanimate, developing what he describes as “living installations.” These works activate everyday objects through movement, sound, and interaction, creating environments in which the distinction between object and performer becomes fluid.

Central to his work is an interest in the familiar and the mundane. Baldursson often begins with ordinary objects and systems, examining how subtle shifts in context or function can transform them into performative elements. By isolating and reconfiguring these objects, he reveals their latent expressive potential, inviting viewers to reconsider their role within everyday life.

Movement and rhythm play a key role in his installations. In works such as Queue/Cue, a car wash brush becomes the central performer, responding to sound in a choreographed interaction, while in The Men’s Choir in the Wall, ties move rhythmically in response to recorded voices. These works establish a dialogue between object and sound, where animation emerges from mechanical or pre-existing systems rather than human intervention alone.

Material and function are continuously re-examined within his practice. Objects such as gas pump handles or industrial tools are repositioned, shifting from utilitarian purpose to aesthetic and performative presence. Through this process, Baldursson creates installations in which objects and performers exist in a shared dynamic, without a fixed hierarchy. The result is a spatial experience that is both precise and open-ended, where movement, timing, and interaction define the work.

His background in both art and technology informs this approach. By combining sculptural thinking with an understanding of systems and programming, Baldursson develops works that operate as responsive environments rather than static objects. This integration of disciplines allows him to explore how behaviour, structure, and perception intersect within contemporary installation practice.

Education

• Royal Academy of Art (KABK), The Hague, Bachelor of Arts, ArtScience (2019–2023)
• Reykjavik University, Bachelor of Science, Software Engineering (2012–2016)

Collections

• AFK (Amsterdam Fund for the Arts)
• Mondriaan Fund
• Nieuw Dakota, Amsterdam