Brief aan anoniem 1935

In 1935, Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries wrote this letter, which is now an artwork. I imagine him at his desk in Hilversum, the sun slanting in, a stack of paper beside him. He pauses, pen in hand, thinking about how best to phrase his offer, the ink bleeding slightly into the page as he touches the nib to the page. He's proposing a series of lectures. You can feel the artist’s presence in the deliberate script, and the way he emphasizes certain words. His enthusiasm for art history leaps from the page as he offers to speak on topics as diverse as Japanese prints, modern dance, and the art of the poster. I love the idea of artists as cultural connectors. The simple act of writing, sharing your passions, teaching, and inspiring others. It makes me think about all the ways we're always having a conversation with the past. De Vries is gone, but his words remain, a little portal into a different time.