INTERVIEW

Talk with Dr. Leo Delfgaauw

Dr. L.H.M.P. (Leo) Delfgaauw is a lecturer at the University of Groningen with expertise in modern and contemporary art, whose courses are certainly special for every student. In this interview he talks about his career and outlook on the arts.

Why did you choose to pursue a career in arts? Why did you choose the field of contemporary art?

When I was a child, I had the opportunity to visit museums occasionally as I lived in Amsterdam where there were plenty of museums. Initially, I didn't know much about it but I found it intriguing and enjoyed being there. I also noticed that some of my parent's friends and people I met while visiting were surprisedandintriguedbywhattheysaw,which sparked my interest further.When I was in high school, I thought about becoming an archaeologist because I found the idea of discovering things and finding treasures very romantic. However, I soon realised that my interest lay more in modern and contemporary art, which I found more interesting and offered new opportunities to meet and talk to people.

Therefore,Idecidedtopursuearthistory,which wasacombinationofarchaeologyandart.After the first half of my studies, I decided to switch to contemporary art as I found it more appealing.

How do you think growing up during the "pop revolution" influenced your approach to art?

Yeah, that's a great question. I think about it myself. You know, I was probably too young during the 60s. I lived in Amsterdam and was the youngest in my family. There were a lot of things going on during that time, such as the hippie movement, pop music, and everything that was forbidden, which made it especially exciting. I was fascinated and influenced by the events that happened around us. In that sense, I am definitely influenced by the 60s and the pop revolution. Of course, music played a significant role in this as well.As a kid growing up, I enjoyed popular music and later on, I attended concerts of different genres. I remember when I was very young, we lived on one of the canals, where the Beatles stayed for a while during their visit to Amsterdam. I saw them passing by, and it was a decisive moment for me. It's always a nice anecdote to tell people because it was a unique and exciting experience.

What fascinates you most about the artist persona?

I've always been fascinated by the people who create art - paintings, drawings or any other form. Their skill and creativity in making beautiful things always intrigue me. I wonder where their curiosity and creativity come from. Whenever I visit an artist's studio, see their work or attend an exhibition, I'm always impressed and fascinated by their way of viewing the world. Despite this, I still don't know how they do it

Do you consider yourself an artist?

No, not at all. I'm not an artist myself. I'm too clumsy. Of course, like every kid, I liketo make drawings and things like that. But quite soon, I realised that I was much more curious about the work of others than actually making things myself. I wanted to read about it, know about it, and see it. But I never felt the urge to make it myself. So, I don't make anything.

If you were an artist, what disciplines would you choose?

Oh, that's very speculative because when you don't make anything, you don't know what you would perhaps want to make. I really don't know. I think maybe the fundamental things like drawing. I always appreciate beautiful drawing, and I'm jealous when I see somebody with the talent and skill to make a sketch or drawing out of the blue. So, maybe that is something that I would like to start with. But I don't think it will happen.

What is the role of the artist in today’s world?

The role of art in today's world is a crucial one, as it provides us with a much-needed sense of hope and comfort in the face of the many challenges that we are facing in our world today. Art, in its many forms, allows us to explore and communicate our thoughts and feelings about the world around us in a waythat is both creative and unique. Artists, with their ability to see the world in a different light, and to express their views through their art, often provide us with insights that we might not have otherwise considered. They offer us a different perspective on the world and help us to understand it in a new way. The creative act of writing, making music, painting, sculpting, or any other form of artistic expression, is now more important than ever. Art allows us to connect with others, to express ourselves, and to make sense of the world around us. Though the world has changed considerably since the artist's earlier days, the appreciation for art remains the same. While the artist may have become more informed and solid in their approach, their fascination and curiosity for what is being made remain undiminished. In short, art plays a vital role in enriching our lives and providing us with a much-needed source of inspirationandcomfortinaworldthatcanoften seem uncertain and chaotic.

Do you have any great stories from your professional life?

Starting myprofessional life was not easy,I had to do different things in various functions and different places. However, I was lucky enough to meet a lot of people and have many beautiful moments and stories. Once, I worked as a curator and had to transport a work of art from a museum to New York for an exhibition. I had to make sure that everything was safe and secure during the transport and installation process. Accompanied by official documents, I arrivedin NewYorklate in the evening with the artwork. It was snowy, cold, and I was tired. When we reached the gallery, the entrance door was not big enough, and the artwork couldn't fit in the gallery space. I was stranded with the big crate in New York, and it was terrible. There was no immediate solution, and I had to wait until someone else came with the keys to another place. After several hours of waiting, the artwork was finally transported to the right place, but it was already 5 or 6 in the morning, and I was completely devastated. Although it was a terrible experience at the moment, it turned out to be a nice story to tell. Most of my memories are pleasant, especially the encounters I had with artists and the stories we shared. There are probably many more stories, but maybe I should share them with you later.

Do you have any advice for the next generation of art professionals?

As a teacher, I often find it challenging to inspire my students to pursue their dreams. However, I do believe that studying a field you are passionate about is a beautiful thing, but it does not come with a guarantee of success. Luck plays a part, but being proactive and finding opportunities to develop your skills is just as important. Building a professional network through visiting places, meeting people, and taking the initiative is crucial to your career growth.Although it may sound like management talk, it is a reality, and you should not be naive about it. Continuing to learn and developing your expertise, skills, and frame of reference is also essential for professional growth. Staying active in studying, reading, visiting places, and writing is important. Writing is an integral part of reflecting on your thoughts and ideas. It allows you to organise your thoughts and think out loud, helping you to communicate your ideas effectively. Being precise in your writing and finding the right vocabularyiskeyin conveyingyourmessageto your audience. Pursuing your passion and building your professional network, continuing to learn, and developing your skills are all crucial to your professional growth. So, keep pushing yourself to try new things, take the initiative, and never stop learning.

How do you drink your

coffee?

I'd love a cappuccino in the morning and an espresso in the evening.

What today's artist do you think will be well known even centuries from now?

When it comes to predicting the future, I must admit that I am not a fortune-teller or a wizard. There are so many surprises in life that it's impossible to foresee everything. But that's perfectlyfine.Intheart world, some artists who were once considered important and influential are now completelyforgotten, while others who were overlooked have suddenly become very relevant and influential. So, predicting who the next Vincent van Gogh will be is not my main task, and I honestly have no idea. Of course, people sometimes ask me to make predictions, but what's more important than predictions is having clear criteria for appreciating and judging artwork. Regarding quality, importance, and aesthetics, it's essential to be clear about your criteria. However, it's also important to remember that your criteria are influenced by your perspective, which is just a moment in time. So, it's crucial to be modest and recognise that your opinion is not the only one that matters. What

art pieces or artworks describe you the best?

When assessing the quality of something, it can be challenging to use terms like "the best" or "less good." It all depends on your criteria and perspective. My judgement on things has changed over time. Some things that I was crazy about when I was younger don't interest me as much anymore, while other things that I didn't consider or like as much before I find very intriguing now. It's not an absolute judgement but something that changes over time. The things that I find difficult to understand are the most intriguing and important because they are the works that surprise me, challenge me to think, and make me question my understanding. It's like with music or literature; when you read a book or listento acomplicated piece ofmusic, youhave to make an effort to understand it, and that's what makes it interesting. Sometimes, an artwork may seem unappealing or confusing at first, but after looking at it more closely, I become completely fascinated by it. It's importanttomakeaneffortandengagewithart, literature, and music, even if it's challenging because that's where we often find the most rewarding experiences. Best in in terms of quality and in terms of comparison I find it very difficult to to use these terms as the best or less good or whatever it all depends again on your criteria I have to think about it I don't know where you know no I when I try to think of my own judgment on hard works I also must admit that it has changed over time so some of the things that are really was crazy about when I was much younger I don't find them that interesting anymore while other things that I didn't really consider or like so much I find them very intriguing now so it's it's not like a an absolute judgment it's something that changes and then again you have to think about your criteria why is it that I like something or I think overall the things that I find difficult to understand in the end they are the most intriguing the most important because those are the works that surprise you those are the works that challenge you to think about because you don't really know what it is all about and you have to you have to make an effort when it is let's say too easy it becomes at least there is a risk of becoming boring we have to make an effort like with music again or like with literature when you read a book and it's really complicated, Oh my goodness I don't understandawordofitIhavetoreaditasecond time and then slowly perhaps you can relate yourself to this literature or texture and the same with an artwork some of the artworks are with that I think more. Yet there are works I don't know what to think of, it's crazy it looks terrible or whatever but then later on yeah I'm completely fascinated by

How does ageing affect an artist, is it truly a lifetime of learning?

It'sfascinatingtothinkabouttheageingprocess and what it means for artists. It's great to see that you're interested in the topic of ageing, especiallyasitrelatestotheworldofart andmy field of research. It's an intriguing subject, as artists often face unique challenges and opportunities as they grow older. One of the most exciting aspects of ageing for artists is how it affects their perspective on the world.As we become older, we gain new experiences, insights, and perspectives, which can be invaluable when it comes to creating art. Many artists find that their work becomes more complex and nuanced as they grow older, as they are able to draw on a lifetime of experiences and emotions. At the same time, ageing can bring its own challenges. As our bodies and minds change, it can become more difficult to create art with the same energy and intensity as we did when we were younger. Some artists find that they are able to adapt and find new ways of working, while others struggle to maintain the same level of creativity and productivity. Ultimately, the impact of ageing on artists can vary widely depending on the individual. Some artists may find that their work becomes more vibrant and meaningful as they age, while others may struggle to maintain the same level of inspiration and creativity. Regardless of the challenges they face, however, many artists agree that learning and growth is an essential part of their practice. By continuing to develop new techniques, explore new ideas, and refine their skills, artists can continue to create meaningful and impactful workthroughouttheirlives.Whilethereisoften a strong emphasis on supporting and promoting young, promising artists, it's also worth considering what happens to artists as they grow older. While there isn't a universally applicable formula for how an artist's work changes over time, there are some exciting patterns and observations to consider. For example, some artists produce their most compelling work in their later years, while others peak early in their careers. Additionally, ageing can bring about changes in an artist's creative process, either due to physical limitations or simply because of shifts in perspective and life experience. Despite these differences, one common thread among many artists is the importance of ongoing learning and growth. Exploring new ideas, refining techniques, and expanding one's skills is an essential part of any artistic practice, regardless of age. When it comes to Picasso he's a particularly fascinating example of an artist who continued to evolve and experiment throughout his life. While his early work is undoubtedly iconic, his later work also showcases a remarkable depth and complexity that reflects his years of experience and experimentation.

What are your most important core values?

Art andlifearenot separatefields; theyarevery much related. That's why artists are beautiful and so important because they are part of life. For me personally, artists give hope, which is something we need in life, especially with all theterriblethingsgoing on.Acore value should be to stay curious about things we don't know. I don't want to sound preachy, but I think that is maybe a core value for all of us. Many of the problems in the world or in our private lives are related to not understanding another person or not accepting something different. This is how we divide people. We don't like them because they behave stupidly, have a different colour, or have red hair. It can be anything.We realise that it is completely stupid, but we must be constantly reminded not to judge. Of course, I do the same, but I try to realise that art is very helpful. Something that I don't understand can be, in the end, so beautiful, nice, and essential, and it enriches me. That is a core value. It's the only one I have. I don't have any other core values.

What is your favourite hobby?

I don't have many hobbies, which sounds boring, but I'm very much involved with art in many ways. This includes my professional life, such as teaching, giving interviews, and more. My hobbies include seeing exhibitions, visiting museums, and reading about art. Lately, I have been reading quite a lot about history, not specifically about art, but history in general. I find it very interesting. Reading is a sort of hobby. Besides that, I have a garden, a part of my private life. One of my hobbies is collecting artist books - books, publications, magazines, leaflets, or anything made by artists. It's kind of funny to collect them.This is a little bit difficult nowadays because of the internet. Nowadays, everything is online, so you can easily find everything, but then you have to pay full price, which I don't want to do. It used to be fun to go to second-hand bookshops or to the flea market anddiscoversomethingnice.Maybethisrelates to my childhood idea of becoming an archaeologist, digging somewhere, and finding a treasure. In some spare moments, I like to watch Judo on YouTube because it was my sport when I was young, and I still enjoy seeing it. As an art historian, you don't need it, but sometimes as a teacher, it can be useful...

What is your favourite church?

One of my favourite churches is a small chapel in Germany called Cappella Di San Nicolao. It was built by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor and is located in the countryside, making it a very peaceful and serene place to visit. The chapel can only accommodate a few people, typically no more than two or three at a time. Despite being a religious site, it's not overly imposing and has a calming atmosphere. It's one of my favourite places to go for spiritual contemplation. Another favourite of mine is the

Budapest synagogue, which is also quite beautiful.

What is your comfort food after a long day?

Oh, my goodness, chicken soup! Of course, self-made. That's the best

Barnabás Áron Somogyi