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Secret of ‘83, agreement displayed on gray pedestal, remaining picture of ceremonial act of burial
analog film, cooperation agreement, pinewood, registered mail
exhibition view of Mal d’Archive 2 at De Ontsteking, Ghent, BE
groupshow with Antonella Aiassa, Mounira Al Sohl, Mekhitar Garabedian, Peter Buggenhout, Johan Grimonprez, Bill Morrison and Shervin/e Sheikh Rezaei
exhibition view of Mal d’Archive 2 at De Ontsteking, Ghent, BE
groupshow with Antonella Aiassa, Mounira Al Sohl, Mekhitar Garabedian, Peter Buggenhout, Johan Grimonprez, Bill Morrison and Shervin/e Sheikh Rezaei

Secret of ’83, 2025,  is a conceptual installation and performance that exists between two geographies: Belgium and the rural landscapes of Iceland. The work centers around a formal transfer of a sealed envelope, containing what is believed to be Kurt Wittesaele’s most significant secret. 

Though largely unknown to the public, Wittesaele plays a key role as a witness in one of Belgium’s most enduring and mysterious cold cases concerning secret governmental deathsquats (including The Brabant Killers). The act of transferring the secret is formalized through a signed contract, outlining the value of the artwork and the artist’s restricted role: as the executor, it’s strictly forbidden for the artist to open the envelope or know the contents of the secret. 

What the envelope allegedly contains, however, is suggested to be one of Belgium’s deepest state secrets. 

The sealed envelope has been buried as a ceremonial act in a remote location somewhere in Iceland. The burial was documented on analog film and is presented through one remaining picture. To preserve the secrecy and value of the work, the GPS coordinates of the burial site can only be disclosed upon purchase, for a symbolic price of €85,000, determined by Wittesaele himself. These coördinates have been send back to Belgium through registered mail.