Generous Gift Brings Dutch Art Writer to USC Aiken

Aiken, SC (09/22/2019) — The University of South Carolina Aiken will host, Jurriaan Benschop, a Dutch writer and curator, on Sept. 30, from 3 - 4 p.m., in Penland 106. His lecture is free and open to the public.

During the event, Benschop will discuss his latest book, Salt in the Wound: Encountering Contemporary Artists across Europe.

"This is an incredible opportunity to hear from an internationally acclaimed author," said Joseph Kameen, assistant professor of art at USC Aiken.

"A generous donor has made this gift possible to our students and community."

According to press materials, Salt in the Wound takes the reader on a journey through Europe, following different paths of 18 established and mid-career contemporary artists. The perspectives of each author are explored, including: what drives their work and how cultural landscape, political climate, and other circumstances filter through their works.

"I travelled and talked to people who are professionals of the imagination. I was curious to find out how they see the places they grew up in, how they see the one they ended up in, and how this affects the work they create," Benschop said.

"A travel book emerged - a collection of narrative essays exploring the continent - presenting motifs such as modernity, memory, abstraction and origin, as well as the specific interests of the artists."

A recent press release explains the impact of Benschop's approach.

"By encountering the artists directly, through conversation and debate, the author delves into both local and global dimensions of the art world. Further reflection on various traditions and regions of the continent allow new perspectives to emerge that speak to the diversity of art across Europe."

A resident of Berlin for a number of years, Benschop is a critic for Artforum International and has published in many magazines, books and exhibition catalogues. Recent exhibitions that he has curated in Berlin include As If, At Home (2016), Re: Imagining Europe (2017) and Content is a Glimpse (2018-19).

"Jurriaan is a regular contributor to major arts publications like Artforum and DAMN magazine, and we look forward to hearing about his latest book, which features interviews with artists such as Anish Kapoor and Bridget Riley," Kameen said.

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