The BACA (Biennial Award for Contemporary Art) is the only major award for international visual art in the Netherlands. The price is intended as a tribute to an artist for his or her adventurous oeuvre and visible influence on other (younger) artists. Francis Alys, as a winner, has decided to show his work in the museum in a different, special way, creating new relationships between his work and the museum's collection. Numerous large projects will be displayed and spread throughout the building. The central theme in this project is the street as a space filled with ambiguities. Six young artists and designers from the Jan van Eyck postgraduate institute in Maastricht will be presenting their work in conjunction with the exhibition.
The BACA (Biennial Award for Contemporary Art) is the only major award
for international visual art in the Netherlands. The price is intended
as a tribute to an artist for his or her adventurous oeuvre and
visible influence on other (younger) artists. The 2010 jury has
decided unanimously to give the award to Francis Alÿs (B - 1959), for
the exceptionally high expressive quality of his work, showing the
extent to which this can lead to truly poetic actions and
interventions. His work consists of photos, video, film, and painted
works on paper and canvas.
For the occasion of the BACA 2010, the museum will not be presenting
a solo exhibition in the traditional sense. Francis Alÿs has decided
to show his work in the Bonnefantenmuseum in a different, special way,
creating new relationships between his work and the museum's
collection. Numerous large projects will be displayed and spread
throughout the building. The central theme in this project is the
street as a space filled with ambiguities. This means that a visit to
the museum will be like a real treasure hunt through the whole
building, from collection presentations to the rooms where the
students of the BACA Masterclass are exhibiting their work.
BACA Masterclass
"It's essentially an idea that you can't teach art, but if you're
around artists you might pick up something." (John Baldessari, BACA
laureate 2008)
Under the title becoming ahh, six young artists and designers from
the Jan van Eyck postgraduate institute in Maastricht will be
presenting their work in conjunction with the exhibition by the BACA
Laureate. Francis Alÿs will enter into discussion with these artists
about their work. The participating artists are: Wolfgang Fütterer
(D), Paul Gangloff (F), Magic Gruppe Kulturobjekt (D), Dominique Hurth
(F), Axel Loytved (D) and Nicholas Matranga (US).
Francis Alÿs will be interviewed by Alexander van Grevenstein on Sunday 7 November at 2pm.
Press department (Tues- Fri), 329 Avenue Céramique 250, Postbus 1735, 6201 BS Maastricht. Tel. +31 43 3 29 01 10, fax +31 43 329 01 99
Guillemette Naessens: pressoffice@bonnefanten.nl
Bonnefantenmuseum
Avenue Ce'ramique 250, Maastricht - NL
Opening hours museum
Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Last entrance at 4.30 p.m.
Entrance fees: Adults € 8,00