4. On the occasion of your exhibition Martin Szekely. Ne plus dessiner3 you declared that “Making a clean sweep of the past is virtually impossible in any field of production.” What elements from the past do you feel are part of your work?

MSz: Despite our volition, history is unavoidable. One way or another we are defined by the past. In fact, I make a point of studying the evolution (and therefore history) of construction materials and techniques. Material and technical possibilities shift with the emergence of each invention and amongst other things, my work, too, is subject to this constantly moving boundary. Historical knowledge helps situate what you are doing with respect to what has been done before. It makes you a little more modest and also gives you the clarity to aim beyond what has been achieved up till now. After all, isn’t knowledge the fruit of doubt, nuance, moderation and discernment? Making a body of work is primarily about consulting the past to challenge the present – a strategy not entirely without its disadvantages.