FOREWORD
the East West Forum (Oost West Forum) symposium book
The East West Forum is the first sculpture symposium organized by
the Dutch Sculptors' Association. Since the founding in 1918 it has
organized numerous exhibitions of sculpture, not only of members'
works but of Dutch sculpture in general. The Amsterdam Amstelpark
Triennials are examples of this; the next one to be held in 1984.
In addition to the large open-air exhibitions, where the public has
the opportunity to acquaint themselves with contemporary sculpture
of The Netherlands, the Dutch Sculptors' Association felt the
necessity for an international manifestation. Early in 1981 plans
were made for inviting Japanese sculptors to come to The Netherlands
and work together with Dutch colleagues in the form of a symposium,
relating their work to a given environment and executing it on
location.
The city of Dordrecht offered its services and cooperation. The
Department of Welfare, Public Health and Culture of The Netherlands
recognized the importance of this event and together with the
Province of South Holland it helped finance the East West Forum. The
symposium took place within the framework of the Holland Festival,
which had Japan as its 1983 theme. As the organization did not
specify all materials and techniques which would be available to the
participating sculptors, leaving them the necessary freedom of
choice, it was even more dependant on the cooperation of Dutch trade
and industry without which the symposium would have remained a
theoretical one.
Without the members of the organizing committee the East West Forum
would never have taken place. The Dutch Sculptors' Association is
grateful to the members of the advisory committee and the board of
recommendation for their advice and support. It acknowledges the
interest taken in this sculptors manifestation by Her Majesty Queen
Beatrix of The Netherlands.
Lucien A.M. den Arend,
secretary of the
Dutch Sculptors' Association
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