XPLR (2021)

Tom Herck’s sculpture XPLR explores humanity’s fascination with space, technology, and transformation through the lens of pop culture and science fiction.

The piece shows Superman—Clark Kent—ripping open his shirt, not to reveal his usual costume, but a space suit. This twist symbolizes the human drive to push boundaries and explore beyond Earth. The title XPLR stands for “explorer,” highlighting our natural curiosity and pursuit of the unknown.

A real Mars meteorite embedded in the sculpture links the work to current space ambitions, while a black hole inside the helmet points to the mystery and vastness of the universe. These elements reflect humanity's urge to evolve, adapt, and enhance itself, much like the superheroes we create.

The black hole inside the helmet adds a symbolic layer to the sculpture. Known for their immense gravitational pull, black holes represent the unknown and the vastness of the universe—mirroring humanity's drive to explore even the most mysterious and unreachable places.

XPLR blends science, pop culture, and imagination to comment on our desire to explore, transform, and reach beyond our limits.

© Text by Lara Van Oudenaarde.
© Photos by Tom Herck.
Special Thanks: Granada Gallery, Jochen Leen, Artimar, Twan Kerkhofs, Kasteel van Ordingen.