Lise Van Acker
Letter from Hugo Claus to Hugo De Clercq, 09.01.1969

13.03  –  19.03

On January 9, 1969, Hugo Claus (1929-2008) writes a letter to Hugo De Clercq (1930-1996). The letter heralds an artistic cross-fertilization between the writer and the artist. However, it is not the first: in 1966 De Clercq and his wife Jeanne Herbiet designed costumes for Claus’ play “Thyestes”. This time it is Claus who supports De Clercq’s work: he is writing a “game of voices” that will be staged as a play during the vernissage of an upcoming exhibition of De Clercq’s recent work, organized by the Socialist Study Circle at Vooruit in Ghent (February 18, 1969).

Thanks to: Veerle Claus-De Wit, Koen Brams, Simon Delobel, Godart Bakkers, Daniëlle Palmans (Letterenhuis Antwerpen), Martijn Vandenbroucke (AMSAB), Archief UGent, Suzy Castermans (Kunstenbibliotheek) & Foundation Hugo

The Letters Project

In 2022-2023, KIOSK together with the research group Ghent, playing field of the visual arts (1957-1987), will focus on letters from or to people from Ghent, or concerning the Ghent art scene. The letters are selected for their content, but also for their form.

For a whole year, the group will present a different letter every week in KIOSK, and will highlight its context or the questions it raises. During these presentations, the letter (or a facsimile) will be shown, possibly with other artefacts that are mentioned or that can clarify its meaning.

Ghent, playing field of the visual arts (1957-1987) consists of Naninga Lens, Sofie Frederix, Wouter De Vleeschouwer, Koen Brams and Godart Bakkers. For The Letters Project the group is reinforced by Simon Delobel and some guests.

KIOSK Het Brievenproject Claus De Clercq brief BR
KIOSK Het Brievenproject Claus Nukerke
KIOSK Het Brievenproject De Clercq voor schilderij
KIOSK Het Brievenproject Claus De Clercq Movings 1969