material lust

To commemorate this summer's edition of Lustwarande, Material Worlds, and the foundation's twenty-fifth anniversary, Lustwarande will release the publication Material Lust – Excursions in Contemporary Sculpture IV in 2026. In addition to documentation of the works in this exhibition, it will also include documentation of all works in the previous four editions (Arbos (2024), Eartheaters (2023), Godhead (2022), and Stations (2021)). Together, the five exhibitions provide a clear overview of the current state of contemporary sculpture.

In addition to an introductory essay by artistic director Chris Driessen, two authors have each written an essay for the publication.

Florian Göttke (b. 1965) is a visual artist, researcher, writer, and lecturer at the University of Amsterdam. He investigates the functioning of public sculptures and their relationship to social memory and politics, combining visual research methods (collecting, reading, and image editing) with academic research.
For Material Lust, Göttke has written a critical cultural-historical reflection on the concept of idol, addressing various aspects, including the idol in a religious sense as a (sometimes abstract) image that is worshipped or a material point of contact with spiritual realms. Closely related to this are the false idols seen from the perspective of monotheistic religions. The role of political statues and political iconoclasm are also addressed, as are the more individual idols in pop culture.

Toef Jaeger (b. 1971) is an art historian, former visual arts coordinator for NRC Handelsblad, cultural critic, and writer. She writes about literature, art, and things that disappear. Jaeger is known for her sharp, analytical perspective on the interplay between art, culture, and society. With clear essays and reviews, Jaeger makes complex ideas understandable for a wide audience without sacrificing depth. This makes Toef Jaeger a recognizable voice within the art historical debate, where research, interpretation, and social relevance converge.
For Material Lust, Jaeger has written an essay on the relentless focus on materiality in contemporary sculpture. She will explore the power of material and the ethics of material selection.

Material Lust follows on from Lustwarande's previous publications: Wanderlust – Excursions In Contemporary Sculpture (2008), Raw Stardust – Excursions In Contemporary Sculpture II (2012), and Delirious Lustwarande - Excursions In Contemporary Sculpture III (2019). Together, these books offer an overview of international sculpture in the first quarter of the 21st century.

The book launch of Material Lust is due 5 July at De Pont Museum. Time will be announced shortly.

PRE-ORDER WITH A DISCOUNT
If you pre-order Material Lust you only pay € 32,50 instead of € 40. You can then pick up your copy at the book launch at De Pont or at the ticket counter in the park. Otherwise, shipping costs will be added.

PRE-ORDER HERE