The Simulator (2025) 

For the installation The Simulator, the room of Father John was recreated—a 82-year-old man from Wombwell (Sheffield) whom Thomas Nolf met during the project. He had once been a military pilot and later became a priest in the U.S. During his retirement, he decided to fly again—not in the air, but in a self-built Boeing cockpit, in the room where he had grown up as a child. Due to health reasons, he eventually gave his simulator to an Italian friend. On its way to Italy, the simulator made a stopover at Thomas Nolf’s solo exhibition at Be-Part – Platform for Contemporary Art in Waregem. Before it was packed up for transport, Nolf made one last flight together with Father Dane. This flight was shown on the simulator’s screens, accompanied by the conversation they had during the flight, which visitors could hear through headphones. As visitors immersed themselves in the experience, the dialogue between Father John and Father Dane came to life in the space. In their conversations, they found each other in their shared quest for silence, adventure and liberation.