Christophe Van Gerrewey
09 Oct - 28 Nov 2008
Double victory for Christophe Van Gerrewey in the Prize for Young Dutch Art Criticism
On Thursday 9 October 2008 the first Prize for Young Dutch Art Criticism was given in Zaal de Unie, Rotterdam. The Prize is an initiative of de Appel, Fonds BKVB and Witte de With. Surprisingly both prizes, rewarded for the categories Essay and Review, were handed out to one and the same writer: Christophe Van Gerrewey (b.1982, Sint Niklaas).
Although the organization of the prize received 72 entries, the jury had hoped to see more authenticity and determination in the style and thinking of the participants. However a small number of entries was received very positively. The jury thus came to a relatively easy agreement upon a shortlist of two participants in each category. Christophe Van Gerrewey and Bart van Groenendaal were nominated in the category Essay. For the category Review Moosje Goosen and again Christophe Van Gerrewey were selected.
The judgement of the jury appeared to be unanimous and led to the double distinction of Christophe Van Gerrewey. His review Negeren is de grootste luxe (Neglecting is the biggest luxury) was referred to by the jury as “a delightfully clear and philosophical text”. In this review Van Gerrewey succeeded in describing a very extensive artist publication Sonne, Mond und Sterne in an accurate, expressive and striking manner while at the same time relating this complex book by the Swiss artist duo Fischli&Weiss to the commercial press. His essay De toekomst is die berg (The Future is that Mountain) is a good example of personal, intelligent and committed writing. In this essay Van Gerrewey questions the three-dimensional space in which art is perceived while searching for the ‘New’. His conclusion is that the what is ‘New’ is related to space rather than time. The jury was extremely impressed by this insightful writer and decided to reward him for both prizes.
Christhophe Van Gerrewey studied architecture at the University of Gent and Literature at the University of Leuven. He published fiction and non-fiction in magazines such as DWB, De Witte Raaf, OASE and 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 researcher and teacher at the University of Gent in the department of architecture and at the Karel De Grote Hogeschool in Antwerpen.
With this prize the jury hopes to give new stimulus to the necessity of outstanding art criticism. In the report of the jury Oscar van den Boogaard claims that the art critic has not only the task to build a bridge between the artwork and the public, but he or she can also educate, surprise and engage.
The jury for the Prize for Young Dutch Art Criticism consisted of Maria Barnas (writer and visual artist), Bernard Dewulf (journalist and art critic), Edo Dijksterhuis (journalist and art critic), Barbara Visser (visual artist), Camiel van Winkel (publicist and lecturer at the art academy in Den Bosch) with the supervision of Oscar van den Boogaard (writer).
On Thursday 9 October 2008 the first Prize for Young Dutch Art Criticism was given in Zaal de Unie, Rotterdam. The Prize is an initiative of de Appel, Fonds BKVB and Witte de With. Surprisingly both prizes, rewarded for the categories Essay and Review, were handed out to one and the same writer: Christophe Van Gerrewey (b.1982, Sint Niklaas).
Although the organization of the prize received 72 entries, the jury had hoped to see more authenticity and determination in the style and thinking of the participants. However a small number of entries was received very positively. The jury thus came to a relatively easy agreement upon a shortlist of two participants in each category. Christophe Van Gerrewey and Bart van Groenendaal were nominated in the category Essay. For the category Review Moosje Goosen and again Christophe Van Gerrewey were selected.
The judgement of the jury appeared to be unanimous and led to the double distinction of Christophe Van Gerrewey. His review Negeren is de grootste luxe (Neglecting is the biggest luxury) was referred to by the jury as “a delightfully clear and philosophical text”. In this review Van Gerrewey succeeded in describing a very extensive artist publication Sonne, Mond und Sterne in an accurate, expressive and striking manner while at the same time relating this complex book by the Swiss artist duo Fischli&Weiss to the commercial press. His essay De toekomst is die berg (The Future is that Mountain) is a good example of personal, intelligent and committed writing. In this essay Van Gerrewey questions the three-dimensional space in which art is perceived while searching for the ‘New’. His conclusion is that the what is ‘New’ is related to space rather than time. The jury was extremely impressed by this insightful writer and decided to reward him for both prizes.
Christhophe Van Gerrewey studied architecture at the University of Gent and Literature at the University of Leuven. He published fiction and non-fiction in magazines such as DWB, De Witte Raaf, OASE and 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 researcher and teacher at the University of Gent in the department of architecture and at the Karel De Grote Hogeschool in Antwerpen.
With this prize the jury hopes to give new stimulus to the necessity of outstanding art criticism. In the report of the jury Oscar van den Boogaard claims that the art critic has not only the task to build a bridge between the artwork and the public, but he or she can also educate, surprise and engage.
The jury for the Prize for Young Dutch Art Criticism consisted of Maria Barnas (writer and visual artist), Bernard Dewulf (journalist and art critic), Edo Dijksterhuis (journalist and art critic), Barbara Visser (visual artist), Camiel van Winkel (publicist and lecturer at the art academy in Den Bosch) with the supervision of Oscar van den Boogaard (writer).