Inception
For many years the work and archive of Michael Gibbs was researched by artist and critic Gerrit Jan de Rook. His efforts lead to the due release of the publication Michael Gibbs -All or nothing and other pages: a shared achievement of initiator Andrew Wilson, senior curator at Tate Modern, Jan Voss, owner of Boekiewoekie and many authors.
The generated interest in the rich archive and authentic material led to the opportunity to create a festival around Michael Gibbs’ work and approach. The fluid and social ways he used to make art, write about it and initiate collaborations inspired Eva and Gerrit Jan to open up the archive. To share the cultural heritage and to inspire and commission current interpretations, works and presentations.
Soledad Senlle Art Foundation supports the initiative as organizing partner and hosts the main exhibition focussing on the early art works of Michael Gibbs. Many partners followed, bringing different themes to the surface.
Venues and curators
Soledad Senlle Art Foundation: Gerrit Jan de Rook and Eva Gonggrijp
Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam: Britte Sloothaak
De Appel arts centre: Nell Donkers
WG Kunst Artist Space and Studio Michael Gibbs: Eva Gonggrijp
Boekie Woekie: Jan Voss
Rietveld Academie and OBA: Gerrit Jan de Rook
Artists
David Gibbs
Doyoun Park
Ivan Cheng
Lot Meijers
Mariana Darvas Lanari
Nina Glockner
Noëlle Cuppens
Peter Baren
Rose Akras
students Beeld & Taal, Rietveld Academy
Credits
‘Let it keep secrets’ has been made possible with grants from the Amsterdam Fund for the Arts, the Mondriaan Fund and Soledad Senlle.
And with the generous support of all participating partners, authors, lecturers and contributors:
Bill Allen, Archief voor Visuele Concrete & Experimentele Poëzie, Maria Barnas, Beeld & Taal Rietveld Academy, Gerrit Borgers, Jessica van den Brug, Buzz Spectors, John Byford, Elisabeth Crommelin, Henriëtte Dingemans, Nell Donkers, Marisol Ferradás, Donald Gardner, David Gibbs, June Gibbs, Eva Gonggrijp, Corinne Groot, Yvonne Grootenboer, Sigurdur Gudmundson, John Held Jr., Martha Hellion, Chantal van Hezik, Claudia Kölgen, Doina Kraal, Dongyoung Lee, Mia Lerm-Hayes, Lima, Raul Marroquin, Marga van Mechelen, Eveline Mulckhuyse, Peperwortel traiteurs, Rob Perrée, PIC SOUND Belgium, Tineke Reijnders, Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, Ilse van Rijn, Gert Jan van Rooij, Gerrit Jan de Rook, Harry Ruhé, Rolf Rutte, Colin Sackett, Henri Sandront, Margriet Schavemaker, Guy Schraenen, Britte Sloothaak, Carla van Splunteren, Richard Tolmeijer, Uniformbooks, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Pieter Verbeke, Hripsimé Visser, Sascia Vos, Jan Voss, Bas Vroege, Andrew Wilson, Henk Woudsma.
Let it keep secrets - Michael Gibbs 