My train 2002 - 2003

Hans de Beeck's “My train” consists of a model railway in an oval aluminium container, and was clearly built as a self-contained artwork rather than found ready-made. The name on the container suggests the personal nature of train sets to many who collect them, evoking the nostalgia associated with childhood and the family. The train set as a symbol is interesting here, especially given the institutional history of model railways. Developed in the 19th century, they were an expression of the Industrial Revolution, and the modern technology that reshaped the world. The image creates meaning through the cultural references of the toy set, as well as the historical association to industrialisation. It can be understood as a commentary on the ways in which technology shapes our understanding of history, and the way those technologies are themselves shaped by the culture in which they exist. Further research, into the context of this work will provide a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.