Letters to artists

Philippe Van Cauteren, director of the
Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art
(S.M.A.K.) in Ghent, has for many years
written letters to artists all over the world.
He directs his thoughts in a very personal
manner to artists who inspire him.
Van Cauteren's letters are written in a
straightforward and accessible way; at times,
they even verge on the poetic. They offer an
insight into how a curator experiences and
interprets art, and also provide a clear and
succinct introduction to the work of each
artist to whom he writes.
This richly illustrated publication contains
more than 100 letters. In an introductory
manifesto - a final letter to Jan Hoet, his
predecessor and the founder of S.M.A.K.
- Van Cauteren also describes the 'ideal
museum of the future'.
This book is a reflection of the contemporary
cultural arena, the roles of a museum and an
artist within this arena and the way in which
divers parties can collaborate constructively.
It features letters to, among others, Michaël
Borremans, Berlinde De Bruyckere, Jan
Fabre, Adrian Ghenie, Jan Hoet, Mark
Manders, Thomas Ruff, Pascale Marthine
Tayou, Ed Templeton, Rinus Van de Velde, Vincent van Gogh.