The Belgian ZERO artist Jef Verheyen (1932-1984) became known as the painter of light streams and colour spectra. He experimented not only with light, but also with movement and the invisible as means to evoke natural mechanisms and to reveal universal interrelationships between human beings and the surrounding world. He used geometric principles – his passion for geometry was born out of his interest in mathematics and (Greek) philosophy – as the basis for harmony. Verheyen never gave up on traditional media and materials such as the canvas, paint, and brushes to search for the essence of our nature. 

gegen den Himmel. against the sky

(c)Paul De Vree, Jef Verheyen
Essentieel, 1964
M HKA, Antwerp
Film , 00:20:00
16 mm film

In 1964 Jef Verheyen and poet Paul De Vree make the experimental film Essentieel (Essential). It enables Verheyen to present real vibrations, reflections and tremors of light. Experiencing light is more important to him than painting it. In Essentieel we see flashing, monochrome fields of colour and abstract representations of the elements: fire, water, earth and air. Abstract soundscapes are interrupted by recurring sentences in different languages: 

 

Als de zon zonnig alleen zijn

Off to the cosmos

Plonger dans l’infini

Quiver entirely