What is good work? Is it measurable? These are just a few of the questions that NOUN, a group of 3rd year photography students from the Royal Academy of Art The Hague have been faced with in their recent project. They were given the assignment to explore the theme of good work in photography and to arrange the exhibition of their work. In order to meet some of the costs, they have partnered with Catawiki to bring you this unique Photography auction which will start on 19th January and ends on 2nd February. In preparation for the auction we spoke with Femke Lutgerink, an independent curator in the Netherlands, who is involved in the project and asked her to share some more details on the project and why these upcoming artists are worth investing in.
Can you tell us about NOUN and your exploration of the theme of 'Good Work'?
NOUN is an art collective of 33 international photography students from the Royal Academy of Art The Hague (KABK), now in their 3rd year. Together with their teachers we set out on a 5 month exploration of the theme 'Good Work'. We asked how 'good work' can be defined and wanted to explore how it's connected to our (inner) world. When quantity gets valued over quality, when being (economically) rewarded becomes more important than ethics and responsibility, it is important to think about this topic. ‘Good Work’ has been hotly debated in the light of our current refugee crisis, our collective care, and educational system. Who is in and who is not? The results of these musings: 33 new projects with totally different stories and translations of the theme, developed by artists who share a curious attitude towards their subjects and the photographic medium.
'Self-Portrait' by Diana Gheorghiu
What is your role in the curation process and what do you look for when looking at talent?
In this case my role of curation is zooming in and out, from the individual to the collective. How are different interpretations of the theme taking shape? What do they communicate? And how do we bring these different translations together in a group show and related activities without getting lost? As a curator I feel my role is to tell stories. It is my responsibility to show the audience the different takes on a subject and surprise them. And, therewith, make them actively contemplate their own assumptions and ideas about the theme. Maybe they'll change their mind, take action or are at least more mindful about the multi-sidedness of a lot of things going on in our world.
'Smile to Commence Positive Self Destruction' by Co Knol
What can we expect to see in the upcoming auction at Catawiki?
In the auction you see the multifaceted, fantastic and talented people of NOUN. Besides developing new projects for the Good Work event, they have to arrange all other means necessary: communication, an appropriate space, and their own budget to pay for everything. The auction at Catawiki helps them with that. It is one of their ways to not only be artists, but be entrepreneurs, as well.
'The Man and the Sea' by Hein Budding
Can you tell us a bit more about why these works are worth collecting/investing in?
I think in the diversity of the work on offer there will definitely be something of worth for people with different tastes. I think the works here show the same curious attitude towards the subjects they explore and the photographic medium as we see in the Good Work exhibition. It is a new generation of photographers worth investing in now. They create intriguing images and they are just about to take off.
'#1' from the series 'a Wheel' by Indra Gleizde
Do you have a favourite work in the auction?
It is so diverse and through every single image, there is a lot to explore. For me they all trigger my imagination; I want to look closer. I wish I could have them all, to be honest.
Is there anything else you'd like to tell our readers?
Support these artists and keep track of them. And, when in The Hague visit Good Work from 26th to 30th January at The Grey Space in the Middle or come to the opening on 25th January.
Whether you're a patron of the arts, passionate about doing good work or looking for an upcoming artist to invest in, be sure to pay a visit to this very special Photography auction, but don't delay because it will end on 2nd February.
Would you like to sell art on Catawiki, just like the NOUN students? It's easy to do so. Register as a seller and start offering up your photography today. With low commission fees, high revenues and a global audience of buyers, Catawiki is the best place to sell your special objects online.
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