Sofie Frederix
Letter from Philippe Vandenberg to Franklin Engeln, 16-19.02.1987

To start off the new academic year 2022-2023, KIOSK shows a letter from artist Philippe Vandenberg (1952-2009) to befriended artist Franklin Engeln (°1956). In this letter from 1987, Vandenberg opens up about the artists that inspire him. By naming painters from the art historical canon, he offers us new insights in the subject matter and formal aspects of his work. The names return in the books he collected for his extensive library in his studio. Afterwards Vandenberg criticizes the art world, finding it to revolve too much around power and media attention. As an example he refers to an exhibition at Galerie Kunst-Zicht by Jan Hoet.

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.