Aldo Kroese’s sculptures and installations are not stationary. Time and movement are the coordinates within which he conceptualises his works. He combines everyday objects into new compositions and creates a process that leads to a partly controlled outcome. Like experimental setups, the often playful works change from one state to the next in accordance with rules specified by the artist.

The title of the work is a reference to the book with the same name, written by Raymond Queneau. Originally published in 1947 in French by the title ‘Exercices de Style’. It is a collection of 99 retellings of the same story, each in a different style. The different styles, as used in the exercises, became a guide of sorts for writers. To Kroese it is endlessly inspiring to see how this book can be playful, virtuous and humorous at the same time.

With the sculpture, one can build endless variations. The well-balanced number of pieces are chosen and shaped to work together in many different ways. All pieces are made out of wood. The different types have their own characteristics: they vary in density, weight and color. Types include: Beech, Poplar, Pine, Oak, Meranti and other tropical hard woods. The shapes follow function as they have been used for different applications: flooring, a kitchen workbench, window framing and gardening.