Awards ceremony Arts Prize 2009

With the fourth edition of the Evens Arts Prize (worth 15.000 €), the Evens Foundation wished to award a young artist whose work is closely related to the Evens Foundation's mission and objectives.

On 13th November 2009, the Evens Foundation awarded its fourth arts prize to Agnieszka Podgórska, an artist who uses digital photography. Her work portrays the human body devoid of social codes and symbolic references. It makes one aware that the body is 'the first language,' a prerequisite for being able to live together harmoniously. Born in Poland, Agnieszka lives in France, has worked in Italy and exhibits in Europe generally.

The Evens Foundation Board of Directors selected the artist from a shortlist of two proposed by an independent international jury.

The awards ceremony - in cooperation with the University of Antwerp - took place at the city campus of the University of Antwerp, during a conference addressed by Professor dr. Chris Van den Wyngaert, Permanent Judge at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. She was introduced by Emeritus Professor dr. Baron Marc Bossuyt, Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Belgium. The prize was presented by European Commissioner Karel De Gucht.

The string sextet Aurora Borealis performed compositions by Claude Debussy, Andrzej Panufnik and Boudewijn Buckinx (the latter piece was created especially for this occasion). As the Evens Foundation is represented in Belgium, France and Poland, we considered it appropriate to offer three performances from a French, Polish and Belgian composer.

At the bottom of this page you can read the introduction by Emeritus prof. dr. Baron Marc Bossuyt, the lecture outline by Prof. dr. Chris Van den Wyngaert, and some images.

Here you can watch a compilation film of the award ceremony:

More information on the Evens Arts Prize 2009.