The Other Side of the Code
A house of the future
In the spring of 2026, Frank Ryckeboer painted several large works for the house of the future of Dimitri Gielis in Heverlee: a home that is, quite literally, a laboratory for ideas about technology and artificial intelligence. The largest work, three by three metres, hangs in the living room.
Frank, a former forest ranger who is happiest among badgers, foxes and deer, could hardly be further removed from the world of algorithms. He listened to Dimitri in his own associative way and translated what he heard into images: parrots that seem to talk but only mimic, like today's AI chatbots, and an owl that stands for true wisdom, calm and reflection.
The other side of the code
In a house where technology explores the future, an unexpected dialogue emerges. An artist, far removed from the world of algorithms and artificial intelligence, looks at the same questions from a radically different angle. His painting translates a technological ambition into image, intuition and imagination. And so, on the other side of the code, a new way of looking at intelligence is born.
'Bang! The paint on the canvas, Bam! Done, and on to the next one.' — Frank
The publication
'The Other Side of the Code' is an impression in words and images of this remarkable project: how it started with a few drawings on the back of a beer coaster, how Frank worked in a cold, open barn in early March, and how the paintings found their place in the house.
Editing and interviews: Rick de Leeuw
Photography: Maartje Elants
Printing: Future Graphics
Print run: 500 copies, 2026
