I went to Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, amongst others to see the James Lee Byars exhibition and possibly to write a review about it for Villa La Repubblica.
However, the works were so badly presented that I was quite disappointed.
The works are from the archives of Flor & Lieve Bex and Wies Smals and mainly consist of wonderfully shaped and folded letters and other works on paper.
But if you want to look at them properly, your eyes have to fight the reflections of yourself and of the lighting from the ceiling in the glass of the showcases.
The works on the walls are put up too high.
If you want to deter the public from liking this very likable work, you should present it this way.
Byars, who always strove for perfection, really deserves better.
[Click on the pictures to enlarge]
Contents of pictures courtesy Flor & Lieve Bex, Wies Smals, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen.
Bertus Pieters