Prize for Young Dutch Art Criticism 2008

Although the jury hoped for more authenticity and determination both in style and thinking of the participants, a small number of entries was received positively which led to an agreement of two participants in each category. Christophe Van Gerrewey and Bart Groenendaal were nominated in the category Essay. Moosje Goosen and Christophe Van Gerrewey were selected in the category Review.

The judgement of the jury, chaired by Oscar van den Boogaard (writer) and furthermore comprised of Camiel
van Winkel (publicist, lecturer at the art academy of Den Bosch), Maria Barnas (writer, artist), Bernard Dewulf (journalist and art critic for Flemish newspaper De Morgen), Edo Dijksterhuis (journalist and art critic for Dutch newspaper het Financieel Dagblad), and Barbara Visser (artist), appeared to be unanimous and led to the double awarding of Christophe Van Gerrewey. His review Negeren is de grootste luxe was referred to as ‘a delightful and clear philosophical text’. Accurately expressive though striking, in this review Van Gerrewey succeeded describing a very extensive artist publication Sonne, Mond und Sterne by the Swiss artist duo Fischli & Weiss, while at the same time relating this complex book to the commercial press. His essay De toekomst is die berg (The Future is that Mountain) at the other hand is a good example of personal, intelligent and committed writing. Van Gerrewey questions the three-dimensional space in which art is perceived while searching for the ‘New’ concluding that whatever the ‘New’ is, it must be related to space rather than time. The jury, extremely impressed by the young talent, decided to reward him for both prizes.

Christhophe Van Gerrewey studied architecture at the University of Ghent and Literature at the University of Leuven. He published fiction and non-fiction in magazines such as DWB, De Witte Raaf, OASE en De Architect. Recent publications of Van Gerrewey are Reality without Restraint. Bathtime in Villa dall’Ava (2005), Modern Times (2007) and Ruskin. Een reisverhaal bij het werk van Office Kersten Geers David Van Severen (2007). He is also a fellowship and teacher at the University of Ghent (architecture) and at the Karel De Grote Hogeschool in Antwerpen.

With this prize the jury hopes to give a new impulse on the necessity of good art criticism. In the report of the jury Van den Boogaard claims that the art critic not only has the task to build a bridge between the artwork and the public, but can educate, surprise and engage as well.

More information and the winning essay and review (in Dutch) on www.jongekunstkritiek.net.