28 may 2020, Oscar van Gelderen & Manuela Klerkx
Frank and René’s Pick...
In this section we let a selection of art lovers – from occasional buyers to art professionals – talk about their perception of art and preferences: where do they want to see art? Where do they purchase art, and above all: from which artists do they buy? Below, an interview with Frank Kortstee (manager electrical energy at NEN, age 50) and René Gouwens (product manager at NEN, age 48)
What does art mean to you?
Frank: My hunger art is almost as big as for real food, so I think it gives me energy and a feeling of freedom.
René: Art teaches you to look at the world in a different way and to be open to it.
Ryan Mendoza, The bride, 2007, Livingstone gallery.
Were you exposed to art while growing up?
René: I had to find my own path and initially art fairs were a safe environment.
Frank: I was born and raised in Nuenen and my parents were interested in the more classical and modern art, from landscapes to Marc Chagall.
When we got to know each other as colleagues, we soon discovered that we shared a passion for art. Once we noticed that we shared a common interest in artists and works of art, we also decided to purchase works together.
Where do you read about the latest developments in the art world?
Mostly from contacts with gallerists. A separate email address for all art mail is recommended, to streamline everything a bit. We also read articles in the newspaper or online art media, such as Artsy and MutualArt.
Kendell Geers, Masking Tradition DXXVIII, 2017, Galerie Ron Mandos.
Where do you prefer to see art?
Together we prefer to visit fairs, galleries and art events. A nice tip is to go to the graduation events of art academies. You can see emerging artists there, plus the atmosphere is always very casual.
Warffemius, From the Andaman series, 2020, Galerie Ramakers.
How often do you buy art each year?
Too many times, and still too few. We always have a number of works in mind that we would like to purchase. But the list is certainly not leading, the most beautiful works we’ve bought were surprises.
Where do you do your buying: in a gallery, at an art fair, at an auction or online?
Always through galleries, whether or not at trade fairs. The advantage of buying through a Dutch gallery is also that the KunstKoopregeling usually applies.
Raquel Maulwurf, Coal, 2018, Livingstone gallery.
Is it important that you always agree on a purchase?
Yes, if it is a purchase for our joint collection. If we disagree, the other person can still decide to buy it himself. After thirteen years of looking at art together, we know what we can do and we can also estimate each other's tastes.
Jannis Kounellis, Without title (Knife), 2015, Livingstone gallery.
Livingstone and Cokkie Snoei. And also Ramakers, Rutger Brandt, No Man's Art Gallery, Torch and many others.
Ruri Matsumoto, Line Broken blanc space nichts, 2019, Livingstone gallery.
With an unlimited budget, we would definitely go for a unique work by Jannis Kounellis. We saw a beautiful work by him at the Lelong gallery in Paris: we even considered buying it if we sold our entire collection. But if we had enough money, we’d purchase a lot of work by talented young artists. Why not add a beautiful building while we are at it? Sounds like a plan.
Who are your favourite artists?
Ryan Mendoza's paintings and installations are very recognizable. By the themes he deals with and the way he paints, one can immediately tell that it concerns an American artist.
Kendell Geers has made beautiful, oppressive installations with razor wire, which symbolize South Africa and boundaries in general.
Raquel Maulwurf attracts us because of the destructive themes in her series. She takes her inspiration partly from history, with bomb strikes and anti-aircraft guns, and partly from nature, with turbulent water waves or the explosive universe.
Warffemius, From the Andaman series, 2020, Galerie Ramakers.
