Astrid David (Eeklo, born 1976) lives and works in Ghent
As a young curator in the world of visual arts, it is my aim to develop projects which can add to already existing platforms as a museum, art exhibitions, an art centre, a gallery, art fairs and art festivals at temporary locations. Working independently allows me to evolve in producing exhibitions which seperate art from its familiar surroundings for a brief span.
An exhibition is temporary and transitory, once over the artwork remains. It is for the curator to extend the impact of an exhibition, to lend an art project a more durable character rather than to see it as a mere superficial and organizational gesture. A curator always needs to explore new horizons, broaden his knowledge of the art scene and constantly evolve in the way he accomplishes his mission. It is above all an exercise in organisational, communicative and emotional flexibility.
Another facet of curation is the challenge to assist diverse social groups in discovering the layers of a visual project. In my opinion art can only create a dynamic when it is not solely a subject of reflection for an in-crowd, but when it touches a larger group. To achieve this I start off in a milieu where contemporary art triggers a certain disruption, where its usefulness is still questioned and where something new is met with conservatism or restraint.
Like the artist, the curator’s position is both critical and fragile. His prospects and selections are based on his own opinion. Torn between criticism and admiration he chooses those images that are most suitable for a particular setting, a context or that express his ideals. A curator can demonstrate sensibilities by matching art of different generations and regions, by opposing and reconciling paradoxical and extreme images. Simultaneously, the curator puts himself in a subordinate position by empathizing with the artist, trying to encourage him to create new work.
The most fascinating part of the task of a curator is the combination of creative thinking and coaching. A curator carries a project, but at the same time is carried away by it, therefore adding to it.