The End of Words

I met Hans around a decade ago when I was a student of Erasmus University, Rotterdam, in the Master's program Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship. Hans was my thesis supervisor, and years after my study, through both professional and private connections, I dare to claim that we are friends. I have always admired his art, his academic work, and his brutal honesty to life and everything he has encountered on his path.

After I started taking art making more seriously, I often thought of his book “Why are Artists Poor?” (2002). It was controversial at the time and is even tougher to digest in the age of AI and social media. I have seen so many artists who are buried in the high demands of making new social media content, and forced to do endless chores of self-promotion, yet receive so little in return. When AI gradually takes over the art related professions, such as web design, illustration and copy writing, which traditionally served artists’ “responsible job trajectory” and “money making endeavors”, though “Why are Artists Poor?” argues the negative effects of government subsidies on art, can artists survive in this new landscape without the government support? Is art making not only an indulgence of a few, but also essential and with merits by itself, as it creates public good? Does art need to be saved? Is art worth saving?

This opening event is not only a presentation of my own artworks: a series of intense paintings explore exactly the limitation of words, by a writer who joins this grim landscape of the art scene obviously in a curiously bad timing, is also a showcase of Hans’s artworks in FactorIJ collection. Hans has recently decided to give away all artworks remaining in his studio for free, such an unusual, generous act brings us face to face with the confronting question about the value (price) of art, and the value of artistic labor. It’s a talk between a student and a teacher, a hopeful newbie and a seasoned artist, and between two idealists. Join us for an evening of meaningful conversations about art and artistic labor.

Bring your questions, let's start the talk!